Hammond Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Hammond are handled by the City Court of Hammond, which covers the 7th Ward of Tangipahoa Parish. The court processes all traffic citations issued within its jurisdiction, from speeding tickets to serious charges like DWI and reckless driving. Hammond has about 20,000 residents and sits at the crossroads of Interstate 12 and Interstate 55, making it a busy corridor for traffic enforcement.
Hammond Quick Facts
City Court of Hammond
The City Court of Hammond is on East Thomas Street. The court handles traffic, criminal, civil, and juvenile cases for the 7th Ward. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The court has separate phone lines for each division.
| Court | City Court of Hammond |
|---|---|
| Address | 303 East Thomas Street Hammond, LA 70401 |
| Criminal/Traffic | (985) 542-3455 |
| Civil | (985) 542-3450 |
| Juvenile | (985) 542-3457 |
| Fax | (985) 542-3453 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | citycourt.org |
The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court website below is the main resource for parish-level court records, including traffic cases processed through the 21st Judicial District Court.
The clerk's site offers record search tools, case filing information, and contact details for the Tangipahoa Parish courthouse in Amite.
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Hammond
The court takes cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, debit cards, money orders, and cashier's checks. No personal checks. Walk in during business hours with your ticket and payment. You are expected to make a payment on your Fines and Court Cost the day you come to court.
By mail, send your payment with your ticket number and driver's license number. If your payment is postmarked after your court date, add $125 to the total. That is a late fee. Do not wait until the last day to mail it. Allow enough time for delivery.
Some fines can be handled without going to court. Simple violations like stop sign tickets ($195), red light violations ($195), and lower-speed speeding tickets can often be paid by mail or in person before the court date. But some charges need a court appearance.
The Hammond City Court page shown below covers court divisions, payment options, and general court information for the city.
This city page links to the court's main site and provides a summary of court services and contact numbers.
Hammond Traffic Fine Schedule
The City Court of Hammond publishes a fine schedule for common traffic violations. Here are some of the amounts you can expect to pay. All fines include court costs.
Speeding fines go up as the speed goes up. For 1 to 5 miles over the limit, the fine is $156. At 6 to 9 over, it climbs to $173. Going 10 to 14 over costs $189. If you were 15 or more miles per hour over the limit, you must appear in court. No mail-in payment for those.
Other common fines in Hammond:
- Stop sign or red light: $195
- Careless operation: $195
- No seat belt: $50 to $125
- No insurance: $245
- Texting while driving: $245
These amounts can change. Call (985) 542-3455 to confirm the current fine for your ticket. Court costs sometimes get adjusted between fiscal years. The number on your citation may be out of date if it has been sitting for a while.
When You Must Appear in Court
Some charges in Hammond need a mandatory court appearance. You cannot pay these off by mail or online. You must go before the judge. The court takes these cases seriously and will issue a warrant if you do not show up.
Mandatory appearance charges include DUI/DWI, hit and run, reckless driving, speeding 15 or more over the limit, school zone violations, drag racing, and driving on a suspended license. If your ticket falls into any of these categories, plan to be in court on your date.
There is a dress code. No shorts, tank tops, flip flops, or mini dresses. The court enforces this. If you show up in inappropriate clothes, you may not be allowed in the courtroom. Dress like you take it seriously. Business casual works fine.
Get there on time. Court starts at the time on your ticket. If you are late, the judge may rule without you. Bring your citation, photo ID, and any documents that support your case. If you plan to contest the charge, have your evidence ready.
Searching Traffic Court Records
To search for a Hammond traffic court record, contact the court at (985) 542-3455. The clerk can look up cases by name, citation number, or case number. Walk in at 303 East Thomas Street during business hours for an in-person search.
Copy fees are $1 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $5. Certification itself is $4. If you need certified copies for insurance or another court, ask for them by name. The clerk will prepare them while you wait if the case file is available.
Under La. R.S. 44:1, traffic court records are public documents in Louisiana. Anyone can request to see a record. You do not need to be the person named on the ticket. Some info may be redacted, but case outcomes and basic details are open to the public.
For district court level records, contact the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court at tangiclerk.org. City court and district court keep records in separate systems. Felony traffic cases and third-plus DWIs go to district court. Everything else stays at the city court level.
Language Access
The City Court of Hammond provides language access services. Contact Guy Recotta Jr. at (985) 542-3455 to arrange for interpreter services. Give the court as much notice as possible so they can have an interpreter ready for your hearing date. This service is available for all court divisions.
Legal Help in Hammond
The Tangipahoa Bar Association can help you find a local lawyer. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services covers the Hammond area for low-income residents. Louisiana Law Help has free guides on traffic court and what to expect.
For simple tickets under $200, most people handle it on their own. Pay the fine or show up and talk to the judge. DWI cases, accidents, and repeat offenses need a lawyer. The penalties for serious traffic crimes can include jail, heavy fines, and a long license suspension. Get legal advice before your hearing.
Tangipahoa Parish Traffic Court Records
Hammond is in Tangipahoa Parish. Cases outside the city court's jurisdiction go to the 21st JDC in Amite. For full details on parish courts, fees, and record access, visit the parish page.
Other Louisiana Cities
These Louisiana cities also have their own traffic court systems and records. Each city page covers local courts, payment options, and how to search for cases.