Shreveport Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Shreveport are processed through Shreveport City Court, which handles all citations issued within city limits. Shreveport is the largest city in Caddo Parish with about 187,000 residents. The court changed its system in 2020, and citations now work differently than they did before that date. Understanding the new process is key to handling your case properly.
Shreveport Quick Facts
Shreveport City Court
Shreveport City Court handles traffic citations issued by Shreveport Police. The Violation Bureau phone number is (318) 673-5830. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The court has four divisions, each with its own judge.
| Court | Shreveport City Court |
|---|---|
| Phone | (318) 673-5830 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judges | Emily Merckle (Div A), Brian Barber Sr (Div B), Brittany Arvie (Div C), Sheva Sims (Div D, Chief) |
The Shreveport City Courts page on the city website is shown below.
This page provides contact details, judge assignments, and links to court services for traffic and criminal cases in Shreveport.
The New Citation System (Since 2020)
Shreveport changed how traffic citations work in 2020. This is a big deal if you got a ticket recently. The court says: "Citizens who received a citation with a court date which is on or after July 1, 2020, that date is no longer a court appearance date. It is now the deadline date."
That means the date on your ticket is not when you have to show up in court. It is the last day to take action. You have three options before the deadline:
- Pay the fine in full (online, in person, or by mail)
- Call the court to schedule a hearing (court is held Monday and Friday mornings)
- Attend night court on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 PM
If you do nothing before the deadline, the court can issue a warrant. The old system had a set court date where you had to show up. The new system gives you more time but puts the burden on you to act. Do not assume the date on your ticket means you must appear that day. Check with the court if you are not sure.
Pay Shreveport Traffic Tickets Online
Shreveport City Court offers online payment through its portal. You can access it at the link below. You need your citation number to look up your case and pay.
The online payment portal for Shreveport traffic tickets is shown here.
The portal lets you search by ticket number, view the fine amount, and pay with a card.
In person, the Violation Bureau takes payments during business hours. Cash, money orders, and cards are accepted. You can also mail payment to the court. Make sure it arrives before the deadline date on your ticket. Late payments can mean extra fees and a warrant.
Criminal and Traffic Division Records
Shreveport City Court's Criminal/Traffic Division collects all payments and maintains case records. The division also reports convictions to the Louisiana OMV. Your driving record gets updated after the case is resolved.
The Criminal/Traffic Division page on the Shreveport website is shown below.
This page explains how the division handles payments, record keeping, and communication with the Louisiana OMV.
Records are kept for different lengths of time. Criminal records stay on file indefinitely. Traffic records are kept for three years. After that, traffic case files may be purged. If you need a copy of an older traffic record, call the court to ask if it is still available.
Caddo Parish DA Traffic Division
The Caddo Parish District Attorney has a Traffic Division that handles some cases. This office can offer plea deals, reduce charges, or dismiss cases in certain situations. Their website is at caddoda.com/trafficdivision.
If you got a ticket from a state trooper or sheriff's deputy in Caddo Parish outside Shreveport city limits, the DA's office and the 1st JDC handle that case instead of City Court. The DA's Traffic Division reviews those cases and decides how to proceed. For more info on parish-level courts, see the Caddo Parish page.
How to Search Shreveport Traffic Records
To find your Shreveport traffic court records, start with the online payment portal. It lets you look up cases by citation number. For broader searches or older records, contact the court directly at (318) 673-5830.
The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court maintains records for the 1st JDC. If your case went through district court, search through the clerk's office at caddoclerk.com. These are separate from City Court records. Know which court has your case before you start searching.
Under La. R.S. 44:1, court records in Louisiana are public. You can request copies in person at the court. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call the court to ask about current fees.
Legal Help for Shreveport Traffic Cases
Northwest Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to qualifying residents. For traffic cases, many people handle them on their own. Serious charges like DWI or reckless driving may need a lawyer. The Shreveport Bar Association can refer you to a traffic attorney.
Louisiana Law Help has free guides covering court procedures and traffic cases. Call 211 to connect with local services. The Caddo Law Library at 501 Texas Street, Room 308 is open to the public and has reference materials for self-represented people.
Caddo Parish Traffic Court Records
Shreveport is the seat of Caddo Parish. For more details on parish-level courts, the 1st Judicial District Court, fees, and related records, visit the full Caddo Parish page.
Other Louisiana Cities
These Louisiana cities also have traffic court systems. Each page covers local courts, how to pay, and how to search for records.