New Orleans Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in New Orleans are handled by the Municipal and Traffic Court, a city court with jurisdiction over all traffic violations within Orleans Parish. The court processes thousands of citations each year, from speeding tickets to red light camera violations. If you got a ticket in New Orleans, this court has your case file and handles all related payments and hearings.
New Orleans Quick Facts
New Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court
The Municipal and Traffic Court handles all traffic cases in the city. The main courthouse is at 727 South Broad Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. A temporary location at 1601 Perdido Street is in use until repairs at the main building are done. Call ahead to check which site is open for your case type.
| Court | New Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 727 South Broad Street New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Temporary | 1601 Perdido Street (until repairs are done) |
| Phone | (504) 658-8500 |
| Fax | (504) 658-9725 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | nola.gov/municipal-traffic-court |
The court site shown below is the main portal for New Orleans traffic court information, including forms, court dates, and contact details.
This page lists court hours, judge assignments, and links to pay fines or look up your case.
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in New Orleans
New Orleans gives you a few ways to pay your fine. The fastest is the online payment site. You can also pay in person at the court or send payment by mail. Each method has its own rules.
Online payment is at traffic.nola.gov. You need your ticket number to look up your case. The site takes debit and credit cards. This is the quickest way to clear a simple ticket without going to court.
The screenshot below shows the online payment portal for New Orleans traffic tickets.
The portal lets you search by citation number to view your fine and make a payment.
In person, the court takes cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and debit or credit cards. Go to the court during business hours. Bring your ticket or know your case number. By mail, the court accepts money orders only. Make them payable to City of New Orleans. No personal checks. No cash by mail.
If you missed your court date, do not wait. The court says: "If you missed your date you should appear at the Court immediately." Failing to show up can lead to a bench warrant and extra fees. The sooner you go, the better your options.
Camera Tickets and Parking Tickets
Camera tickets in New Orleans are not the same as traffic court cases. Red light and speed camera violations go through a separate system. You handle those at violationinfo.com, not at the Municipal and Traffic Court. The fine amounts and rules are different.
Parking tickets are also separate. The city handles parking violations through its own system at nola.gov/pay-parking-ticket. Do not go to traffic court for a parking ticket. Check your citation to see what type it is before you try to pay.
Only citations from police officers for moving violations go to the Municipal and Traffic Court. Camera tickets and parking violations have their own websites and payment processes. Mixing them up wastes time.
Traffic Court Process in New Orleans
When you get a traffic ticket in New Orleans, the officer gives you a citation with a court date. You have options at that point. You can pay the fine before the court date, which counts as a guilty plea. Or you can show up in court to contest the charge.
If you want to fight the ticket, you go to court on your date. The judge hears your side and the officer's report. You can bring evidence like photos or witness statements. Some cases get reduced or dismissed. It depends on the facts and the judge.
New Orleans traffic court records stay in the system after your case is done. A conviction goes on your driving record through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Points add up. Too many points can mean a license suspension. The court reports all outcomes to the state.
For more serious charges like DWI, reckless driving, or hit and run, the process is longer. You may need a lawyer. The court can set bond and schedule multiple hearings. These cases create more detailed records than a simple speeding ticket.
How to Search Traffic Court Records
You can search for New Orleans traffic court records in a few ways. The online payment portal at traffic.nola.gov lets you look up cases by ticket number. For broader searches, the court clerk's office can help in person.
The New Orleans city government website shown below also provides access to city services including court information.
The city's main site links to the Municipal and Traffic Court, payment portals, and other public services.
To search records, you need at least one piece of info:
- Citation or ticket number
- Full name of the person cited
- Date of the violation
- Case number assigned by the court
Walk-in searches at the courthouse are free. Staff can pull up your case and print records. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call the court at (504) 658-8500 to ask about current copy fees before you go.
Under the Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, traffic court records are public documents. Anyone can ask to see them. Some info may be redacted for privacy, but the basic case details are open to the public.
Legal Help for Traffic Cases
If you need a lawyer for a traffic case in New Orleans, several options exist. The New Orleans Bar Association runs a referral service. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services helps people with low income on certain legal matters. Not all traffic cases need a lawyer, but serious charges like DWI or driving on a suspended license can benefit from one.
Louisiana Law Help has free guides for people handling their own cases. The site covers court procedures, forms, and what to expect. It is a good starting point if you plan to go to court without an attorney.
The court itself does not give legal advice. Staff can tell you about procedures, deadlines, and fees. They cannot tell you how to plead or what defense to use. That is what a lawyer does.
Orleans Parish Traffic Court Records
New Orleans and Orleans Parish share the same boundaries. All traffic court records for the city are part of the parish court system. For more details on parish-level courts, fees, and related records, visit the full Orleans 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.