LaPlace Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for LaPlace go through the St. John the Baptist Parish court system and the 40th Judicial District Court. LaPlace is the largest community in the parish with about 32,000 residents. There is no municipal court in LaPlace, so all traffic citations are processed at the parish level. The sheriff's office handles fine collection and the court system maintains the case records.
LaPlace Quick Facts
40th Judicial District Court
The 40th JDC serves St. John the Baptist Parish. Traffic cases from LaPlace are heard here. Note that there is currently no court at the LaPlace Arcuri Center due to damage from Hurricane Ida. Check with the court at 40thjdc.org for the current hearing location before you go.
The St. John Parish Sheriff's Office handles fine collection for traffic tickets. The sheriff's main office is at 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace. Call (985) 359-8712 for questions about your ticket. The mailing address is PO Box 1600, LaPlace, LA 70069.
| Court | 40th Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Website | 40thjdc.org |
| Sheriff | 1801 West Airline Hwy LaPlace, LA 70068 |
| Sheriff Phone | (985) 359-8712 |
| Mailing | PO Box 1600 LaPlace, LA 70069 |
| In-Person Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
How to Pay Traffic Fines
Fines can be paid by credit card online only. A 5% fee will be added. The online payment portal is at stjohnsheriff.org/traffic/traffic-fines. The site takes Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. You need your citation number to look up your fine amount.
In person, the sheriff's office takes money orders only. No cash. No personal checks. No credit cards at the window. Go to 1801 West Airline Highway during business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Bring your ticket and a money order for the full amount.
By mail, send a US Postal Money Order or Certified Bank Check. Make it payable to St. John Parish Sheriff's Office. Include your citation number and driver's license number with the payment. Mail it to PO Box 1600, LaPlace, LA 70069. Do not send cash through the mail.
Court costs vary by type of violation. Moving violations cost $124.50 in court fees. Non-moving violations are $119.50. Misdemeanors carry $169.50 in costs. DWI cases have $315 in court costs on top of the fine itself. These amounts are in addition to whatever the judge sets as the fine.
The nCourt online payment system shown below is used by many Louisiana courts for processing traffic fine payments electronically.
The nCourt platform handles secure payments for courts across Louisiana, including the St. John the Baptist Parish system.
How to Search Traffic Court Records
To find a traffic court record from LaPlace, contact the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court. The clerk maintains all records for the 40th JDC. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Call ahead or visit during business hours.
Under Louisiana's public records law, La. R.S. 44:1, traffic court records are public documents. Anyone can request to see them. You do not need to be the person named in the case. Copy fees apply for printed records. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.
The sheriff's office can also provide info about the status of a fine. If you just need to know if a ticket has been paid or what the balance is, call (985) 359-8712. They can pull that up quickly by citation number.
Public Defender and Legal Help
The St. John Parish Public Defender's Office is at 75 Dominican Road, Suite 202. Phone (985) 651-6677. Visit stjohnpdo.org for more info. If you cannot afford a lawyer and your traffic case could result in jail time, you may qualify for a public defender.
Not every traffic case qualifies for a public defender. Simple fines-only violations usually do not. But DWI cases, driving on a suspended license, and other charges that carry possible jail time do qualify. Ask the court at your first hearing if you think you need one.
Louisiana Law Help has free guides for people handling their own cases. The site covers court procedures, what to bring, and how to prepare. For basic tickets, this is a good starting point. For serious charges, talk to a real lawyer before your hearing.
Getting to Court in LaPlace
LaPlace is between Baton Rouge and New Orleans along Interstate 10. The sheriff's office on West Airline Highway is the main place to pay fines. For court hearings, check the current location since the Arcuri Center is not in use after Hurricane Ida damage.
The River Parishes Transit Authority provides bus service in the LaPlace area. Call (985) 651-1141 to schedule a ride. The fare is $2 one way. You need to call at least 24 hours ahead to arrange a pickup. This can work if you do not have a car, but plan in advance.
Parking at the sheriff's office is free. If your hearing is at a different location, call the court first to ask about parking. Some locations have limited spots. Arrive early on court days.
St. John the Baptist Parish Traffic Court Records
LaPlace is the main community in St. John the Baptist Parish. For full details on parish courts, the 40th JDC, 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.