St. John the Baptist Parish Traffic Court Records
St. John the Baptist Parish traffic court records are managed through the 40th Judicial District Court. The parish seat is Edgard, but most court business happens in LaPlace. Traffic fines can be paid online through the sheriff's office, by mail, or in person. The clerk of court and sheriff's office each play a role in how traffic cases are handled here.
St. John the Baptist Parish Quick Facts
40th Judicial District Court
The 40th Judicial District Court is the main trial court for St. John the Baptist Parish. All traffic cases filed in the parish go through this court. The court handles everything from simple speeding tickets to DWI charges and other serious traffic offenses.
The parish seat is Edgard, but LaPlace is the main hub for most residents. Court operations and the sheriff's office are both in the LaPlace area. If you got a citation in St. John the Baptist Parish, your case will be in the 40th JDC system.
Note that the court is not at the LaPlace Arcuri Center due to damage from Hurricane Ida. Check with the clerk's office for the current court location before you make a trip. Call (985) 359-8712 to confirm where your hearing will be held.
The screenshot below shows the statewide Louisiana court records resource page, which can help you navigate the court system in St. John the Baptist Parish.
This statewide resource page provides an overview of how to access court records across Louisiana, including the 40th JDC serving St. John the Baptist Parish.
| Sheriff Address | 1801 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, LA 70068 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (985) 359-8712 |
| Mailing | PO Box 1600, LaPlace, LA 70069 |
| Court Website | 40thjdc.org |
Paying Traffic Fines in St. John the Baptist Parish
The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office handles traffic fine payments. You can pay online, by mail, or in person. The sheriff's office has set fine schedules that depend on the type of violation.
Here are the standard court costs for traffic violations in St. John the Baptist Parish:
- Moving violations: $124.50
- Non-moving violations: $119.50
- Misdemeanors: $169.50
- DWI: $315.00
These are base court costs. Your total fine may be higher depending on the specific charge and any added penalties. Online payments are accepted by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, and Discover) with a 5% processing fee added. For in-person visits, the sheriff's office takes money orders only. No cash and no personal checks at the window.
To pay by mail, send a money order to PO Box 1600, LaPlace, LA 70069. Include your citation number on the money order. Do not send cash through the mail. Allow extra time for mail delivery and processing.
Online payment is the fastest option for most people. Go to the sheriff's traffic fines page, enter your citation number, and pay with a credit card. The 5% fee is the trade-off for the convenience of not making a trip to LaPlace.
Search Traffic Records Online
To look up traffic court records in St. John the Baptist Parish, start with the 40th JDC website. The court may offer an online case search tool. The ClerkConnect platform and eClerks LA portal are two statewide tools that connect to parish clerk systems for remote searches.
Under La. R.S. 44:1, traffic court records are public in Louisiana. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be the person on the ticket. Copies cost about $1 per page. Certified copies are $5 per document plus copy fees. Criminal background checks run $20 per name.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring your citation number or the name and date of the violation. Staff can pull up the record and give you the case status. Phone inquiries at (985) 359-8712 work for quick status checks, though the staff may ask you to come in for detailed requests.
La. R.S. 44:33.1 requires the clerk to publish custodian contact information for public records requests. Check the clerk's website or call for the most current details on how to submit a formal records request.
Public Defender and Legal Help
The St. John the Baptist Parish Public Defender's Office is at 75 Dominican Road, Suite 202, LaPlace, LA 70068. Phone: (985) 651-6677. If you cannot afford a lawyer and face serious traffic charges like DWI, the public defender may be able to help. You must qualify based on income.
For less serious tickets, you may not need a lawyer at all. Many people handle speeding tickets and minor violations on their own. But if your license is at risk, or if you face jail time, talk to the public defender or hire a private attorney.
The Louisiana Law Help site has free guides on court procedures and your rights. The Louisiana Supreme Court directory lists courts and legal aid groups. The Louisiana state directory has contact information for all parish offices.
Cities in St. John the Baptist Parish
LaPlace is the largest community in St. John the Baptist Parish. Traffic citations issued in LaPlace go through the 40th JDC. The sheriff's office on West Airline Highway in LaPlace is where most people go to pay fines or handle traffic matters in person.
Nearby Parishes
St. John the Baptist Parish is between New Orleans and Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River. Each nearby parish has its own court system and traffic records.