Lafayette Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Lafayette come from two separate systems, and which one has your case depends on who wrote the ticket. Lafayette City Police tickets go to Lafayette City Court. Tickets from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff or Louisiana State Police go through the Sheriff's Office and the 15th Judicial District Court. This split catches people off guard, so check your citation carefully to see who issued it.
Lafayette Quick Facts
Lafayette City Court
Lafayette City Court handles traffic tickets written by Lafayette City Police. The court is at 105 East Convent Street. Phone: (337) 291-8720. For traffic ticket questions, call (337) 291-8736. The court website is at citycourtlafayettela.org.
| Court | Lafayette City Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 East Convent Street Lafayette, LA |
| Phone | (337) 291-8720 (main) / (337) 291-8736 (traffic) |
| Website | citycourtlafayettela.org |
The Lafayette city government website provides links to city court and other municipal services.
The city's main site connects to court services, payment portals, and contact details for Lafayette City Court.
If your ticket was written by a city police officer, this is where you pay. Do not go to the Sheriff's Office for a city ticket. The two systems are totally separate.
Sheriff and State Police Tickets
Tickets from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff or Louisiana State Police are a different matter. These go through the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office and the 15th Judicial District Court. The rules are strict about payment methods.
The court makes it very clear: "District traffic tickets are to be paid to or at the Lafayette Parish Government Building. CASH or MONEY ORDER only!" No checks. No credit cards for these tickets in person.
You can pay district tickets in person at the Fines Office, 4th Floor, 1010 Lafayette Street. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 4:45 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. By mail, send money orders only to LPSO P.O. Drawer 92590.
Online payment for sheriff and state police tickets is available at snscourtandticketpayments.com. This is one of the few options for paying with a card on a district court ticket.
The 15th Judicial District Court website is shown below.
The 15th JDC site has information on court schedules, judges, and links to the clerk's office for Lafayette Parish.
DA Traffic Division
The Lafayette Parish District Attorney has a Traffic Division at (337) 236-5880. This office reviews traffic cases that go through the district court. They can offer plea deals or reduce charges in some cases.
Pre-trial diversion may be available for some offenses. The DA's office can offer a Pretrial Dismissal or a deal under Article 892.1. These programs let you avoid a conviction on your record if you meet certain conditions. Not every case qualifies. Call the DA's Traffic Division to ask if your case is eligible.
Serious charges like DWI, hit and run, or driving on a suspended license usually go through the DA's office. These carry bigger penalties and more complex court procedures. A lawyer can help with these types of cases.
How to Search Lafayette Traffic Records
Searching for traffic records in Lafayette starts with knowing which court has the case. City Police tickets are at City Court. Sheriff and State Police tickets are at the 15th JDC through the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court.
The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court keeps all district court records. You can search online through their website or visit the office in person. City Court has its own records system. Call (337) 291-8736 for city ticket lookups.
Under La. R.S. 44:1, traffic court records are public in Louisiana. You can ask for copies at either court. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Both courts report convictions to the Louisiana OMV, so your state driving record will show the outcome.
Legal Resources in Lafayette
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation serves the Lafayette area. They provide free legal help to low-income residents. For traffic cases, most people handle simple tickets on their own. More serious charges may need a lawyer.
Louisiana Law Help has free self-help guides. The Lafayette Bar Association runs a referral service if you need to find an attorney. Call 211 for help connecting to local legal and social services.
Lafayette Parish Traffic Court Records
Lafayette is the seat of Lafayette Parish. For more on the parish court system, the full 15th JDC, clerk contact information, and related records, visit the Lafayette Parish page.
Other Louisiana Cities
These Louisiana cities also have their own traffic court systems. Each page covers local courts, how to pay fines, and how to search records.