Evangeline Parish Traffic Court Records

Evangeline Parish traffic court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Ville Platte under the 13th Judicial District Court. Whether you need to find a traffic citation, check a case status, or request a certified copy of a disposition, this page covers the offices, tools, and fees you will need.

Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court

Randall "Randy" M. Deshotel serves as the Clerk of Court for Evangeline Parish. The office is at 200 Court Street, Suite 104, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586. The mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Ville Platte, LA 70586. You can reach the office by phone at 337-363-5671 or by fax at 337-363-5780. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's website is at evangelineparishclerkofcourt.com.

Randy Deshotel describes his role clearly: "Welcome to the official website of the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court! I'm Randall M. 'Randy' Deshotel, honored to be the custodian of our vital records that capture the histories of our families, towns, and parish." The clerk is the official custodian for all court records filed in Evangeline Parish, including traffic citations, civil and criminal cases, land records, and vital records like marriage licenses.

The screenshot below is from the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court homepage, showing the main navigation and services offered by the office.

The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court website lists services, contact information, and access tools for court records in Ville Platte, Louisiana.

Contact the Evangeline Parish Clerk

If you have questions about a traffic case or need to request records, the clerk's contact page at evangelineparishclerkofcourt.com/contact has full details on how to reach the office. The contact page lists phone numbers, email addresses, and the physical location for in-person visits.

The screenshot below is from the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court contact page, which is the starting point for most records requests.

The contact page for the Evangeline Clerk of Court gives you direct phone numbers and emails for different departments within the office.

When you reach out, have the defendant's full name and date of birth ready, or the citation number from the ticket. That makes it much easier for staff to locate the file quickly. If you are making a mail request, include a return address and payment for copy fees.

13th Judicial District Court

The 13th Judicial District Court serves Evangeline Parish. The court handles all felony and misdemeanor cases filed within the parish, including serious traffic offenses. Felony-level traffic cases include operating while intoxicated (third or subsequent offense), vehicular homicide, and hit and run causing serious injury. These cases are prosecuted through the 13th JDC and can carry significant penalties, including prison time and permanent license revocation.

Routine traffic tickets, such as speeding or failure to stop, are handled at a lower level. The issuing agency, type of violation, and prior record can all affect where the case is processed. If you are not sure which court your case is in, call the clerk's office and ask. Give them your citation number or name and they can point you in the right direction.

Always confirm your court date directly with the clerk before you plan to appear. Louisiana is strict about missed court dates. A no-show on a traffic citation can lead to a bench warrant and potential suspension of your driver's license through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.

Searching Evangeline Parish Traffic Records

Traffic court records in Evangeline Parish are public under La. R.S. 44:1. The Clerk of Court is the custodian. Under La. R.S. 44:33.1, custodians are required to publish contact information so the public can reach them. You have a right to inspect these records during business hours at no charge. Copies are subject to the standard fee schedule.

For online access, the ClerkConnect statewide portal may have Evangeline Parish records. ClerkConnect covers civil and criminal index data from many Louisiana parishes and allows public searches. Some records require a subscription. The eClerks LA system is another statewide option that provides remote access to court records from participating parishes.

If neither statewide system has what you need, contact the clerk's office directly at 337-363-5671 or through the contact page on the website. A direct call is often the fastest way to get a specific case status.

Traffic Fines and Payments

The Clerk of Court in Evangeline Parish does not collect traffic fines. Fine payments typically go through the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office. Contact the Sheriff's office to find out how to pay a citation and what payment methods are accepted. Online payment options may be available depending on the current tools the Sheriff's office uses.

Paying a traffic ticket in Louisiana is a guilty plea. Once you pay, the conviction goes on your driving record. If you want to contest the ticket, do not pay. Show up on the court date listed on the citation and tell the judge you want a hearing. You can present your case and may be able to get a reduction or dismissal, depending on the circumstances.

Traffic convictions in Louisiana can add points to your driving record through the Office of Motor Vehicles. Too many points in a set period can lead to license suspension. Even minor violations add up over time, so it is worth understanding what a ticket will cost you beyond just the fine amount.

Record Copy Fees

Standard copy fees at the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court are $1.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00 per document. These rates are set by the Louisiana Legislature and apply statewide. Inspection of records in person is free; you only pay for printed copies.

Call the clerk's office at 337-363-5671 to confirm acceptable payment methods before you visit. Some offices have restrictions on credit cards or personal checks. Bringing cash or a money order is usually the safest option when you are not sure.

Legal Help in Evangeline Parish

The Clerk of Court staff cannot give legal advice. They process records and handle court filings, but they are not in a position to advise you on how to handle your case. If you need legal help, seek it elsewhere.

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provides civil legal aid in the region, including Evangeline Parish. Call 211 to find out what is available based on your income. Louisiana Law Help at louisianalawhelp.org has free guides on traffic court procedures and how to deal with bench warrants and license suspensions.

If you are facing a more serious charge like OWI, getting a private attorney is strongly recommended. The penalties for OWI in Louisiana are significant, and an experienced lawyer can make a real difference in how the case plays out.

Nearby Parishes

Evangeline Parish is in south-central Louisiana. These nearby parishes also handle traffic court records through their own clerk offices.