Find East Feliciana Parish Traffic Court Records
East Feliciana Parish traffic court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Clinton under the 20th Judicial District Court. This page covers how to find a traffic case, request copies, pay fines, and use statewide search tools for East Feliciana Parish.
East Feliciana Parish Quick Facts
East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court
David Dart serves as the Clerk of Court for East Feliciana Parish. The office is located in Clinton and serves as the official custodian for all court records in the 20th Judicial District within East Feliciana Parish. The clerk's website is at eastfelicianaclerk.org, where you can find information on services, locations, and contact numbers.
The clerk's office describes its role and approach this way: "Welcome to the official website of the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court. Here you will find helpful links to the services provided by the Clerk of Court, as well as locations and telephone numbers for assistance." The office also notes its service commitment: "It is our goal that you receive the highest quality customer service in a friendly atmosphere." Staff can assist with questions about traffic records, copy requests, and other court-related matters during normal business hours.
The screenshot below is from the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court website, which provides contact information and links to services available at the office.
The East Feliciana Clerk of Court site provides links to services, contact details, and information on how to access court records in Clinton, Louisiana.
| Clerk | David Dart |
|---|---|
| Parish Seat | Clinton, LA |
| Judicial District | 20th Judicial District Court |
| Website | eastfelicianaclerk.org |
20th Judicial District Court
The 20th Judicial District Court serves both East Feliciana and West Feliciana parishes. This shared district structure means the same court system handles traffic cases from both parishes. The court sits in Clinton for East Feliciana matters. Judges of the 20th JDC handle felony criminal cases, which include serious traffic offenses such as operating while intoxicated (OWI), vehicular negligence, and hit and run resulting in injury.
Routine traffic citations, such as speeding, stop sign violations, and equipment failures, are typically handled at a lower level. The exact court tier depends on the nature of the charge and the issuing agency. If you are not sure where your case is being handled, the clerk's office is the right place to start. Give them your name and citation number, and they can tell you the status and location of your case.
Court schedules in the 20th JDC are set by the judges. Always confirm your hearing date directly with the clerk before you plan to appear. Missing a traffic court date in Louisiana can result in a bench warrant and driver's license suspension. These consequences are serious, so do not assume your date has changed without checking.
How to Get Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in East Feliciana Parish are public under La. R.S. 44:1. The Clerk of Court is the legal custodian. Under La. R.S. 44:33.1, the custodian must publish contact information so you can reach the office. You can inspect public records in person during business hours for free. Copies cost money.
Standard copy fees in Louisiana are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies. These rates apply statewide and are set by the Legislature. Bring payment when you visit, and call ahead to confirm what forms of payment the clerk accepts.
To request records by mail, write to the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court in Clinton. Include the full name and date of birth of the person you are searching for, a description of the records you need, your return address, and a check or money order for estimated copy costs. The office will contact you if additional fees are required.
For online searches, the ClerkConnect portal is worth checking. ClerkConnect offers access to civil and criminal index records from many Louisiana parishes. The screenshot below shows the ClerkConnect portal interface.
ClerkConnect provides a statewide index of court records from participating Louisiana parishes and can be a useful starting point for a traffic case search.
Statewide Online Access
Two statewide systems give you remote access to Louisiana court records. ClerkConnect is one. The other is eClerks LA, which provides access to records from multiple parishes across the state. Both systems may have data from East Feliciana Parish, depending on the current level of participation.
The screenshot below shows the eClerks LA remote access portal, which covers many Louisiana parishes and lets you search from anywhere with internet access.
eClerks LA is a statewide portal that gives the public online access to court records from many Louisiana clerks of court offices.
If neither statewide portal has what you need, the next step is a direct call or visit to the East Feliciana Clerk of Court in Clinton. Small parishes sometimes take longer to get into statewide digital systems, and direct contact is always the most reliable route for finding specific case information.
Traffic Fines and Payments
In Louisiana, the Sheriff's department typically handles fine payments for traffic citations, not the Clerk of Court. East Feliciana Parish follows this same general structure. Contact the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office to find out how to pay a citation and what payment methods are accepted.
Keep in mind that paying a traffic ticket in Louisiana is legally treated as a guilty plea. Once you pay, the case closes as a conviction on your record. If you want to dispute the charge, do not pay first. Appear on your court date and ask the judge for a hearing. You can explain your situation and, depending on the facts, may be able to negotiate a reduction or dismissal.
If you have a financial hardship and cannot pay the full fine amount, contact the clerk's office before your court date. Some courts allow payment plans or reduced fines for certain circumstances. You need to make this request proactively, before you miss the payment deadline.
Legal Resources in East Feliciana Parish
The Clerk of Court staff in Clinton cannot give legal advice. They can tell you what is in a file and help you understand the process for requesting records, but they are not lawyers and cannot advise you on how to handle your case.
For legal help, Baton Rouge-area legal aid organizations sometimes serve East Feliciana Parish residents. Call 211 to find out what legal aid is available based on your income and location. Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free self-help guides on traffic court, warrants, and how to access public records.
If you can afford a private attorney, the Louisiana State Bar Association's referral service can help you find a traffic lawyer. Getting legal advice early is especially important for more serious traffic charges like OWI, where the stakes and potential penalties are much higher.
Nearby Parishes
East Feliciana Parish is in the Florida parishes region of Louisiana. These nearby parishes also maintain traffic court records through their own clerk offices.