Understanding Civil Court Records in Louisiana

Civil court records in Louisiana are maintained by the judiciary and include documentation made by the trial courts during civil proceedings. A civil case is defined as a dispute in which a plaintiff requests the enforcement or protection of a civil/private right, or the redress or prevention of a wrong not classified as a crime. These proceedings are often related to torts, contracts, real property, small claims, estate or probate matters, and civil appeals.

Clerks of court are responsible for maintaining Louisiana's civil court records. The Louisiana Public Records Act, codified at Louisiana Revised Statutes (La. R.S.) 44:1, serves as the primary law guaranteeing access to these records. It affirms the public's right to view and copy official civil court records.

Civil Court Record Statistics Reported by Louisiana Courts

The Louisiana Supreme Court reports comprehensive data on civil filings in its annual reports. In 2024, district courts handled 140,547 incoming civil cases, marking a 3.02% decrease from 2023. Louisiana City and Parish Courts handled 73,809 civil filings, up 1.09% from the previous year. The Intermediate Courts of Appeal received 1,018 civil appeals in 2024, a 2.30% decline from 2023. While detailed breakdowns by civil case type are lacking in the report, civil orders were filed 16,924 times in 2024, including 13,507 temporary restraining orders and 3,358 protective orders.

With a decrease in filings in appellate courts and an increase in filings in trial courts, these statistics indicate that trial courts have improved their efficiency in handling civil matters, thereby reducing the number of cases that proceed to the appellate level.

How Civil Records Differ from Criminal Records in Louisiana

Louisiana civil and criminal court records differ considerably in structure, legal function, and public access. Civil court records contain information about disputes between parties, including filings like petitions, answers, and exceptions. These disputes involve matters such as money claims, protective orders, and successions.

In contrast, criminal court records contain information about the legal measures taken by the State to address alleged violations of criminal laws. These measures typically involve actions such as prosecuting felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal traffic violations.

Generally, the public can access most civil and criminal court records, except for certain matters, like juvenile and expunged cases. The table below details the significant differences between civil and criminal court records.

Category	Civil Court Record	Criminal Court Record
Legal Focus	Private disputes (money claims, eviction, protective orders)	Public offenses (felonies, misdemeanors, criminal traffic)
Case Title	Plaintiff v. Defendant	State v. Accused (Defendant)
Potential Outcome	Monetary damages or equitable remedies.	Fines, imprisonment, probation, acquittal, dismissal (with or without prejudice), diversion
Public Access	Accessible to the public unless sealed by court order or classified as exempt by law	Accessible to the public, but with exemptions on juvenile cases, victim information in sex crimes, or ongoing investigations.

Structure of the Civil Court System in Louisiana

The Louisiana judicial branch is established by Article V of the Louisiana Constitution, which vests judicial authority in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, district courts, and other courts of limited or specialized jurisdiction. Civil courts fit into this structure at the trial level, consisting of the District, City, and Parish Courts. Appellate review from the civil courts is handled by the Intermediate Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

The trial court of general jurisdiction in Louisiana, where most major civil cases are filed, is the district court. District courts exercise original jurisdiction over all civil matters, except as otherwise specified by the law. Civil cases are governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, which is distinct from the procedural rules that govern criminal proceedings filed in the state courts.

The primary civil trial courts and examples of cases they handle are detailed below:

Trial Court Type	Jurisdiction Type	Examples of Civil Cases Managed
District Court	General Jurisdiction	Cases involving title to immovable property Probate and succession cases Cases where the state or a political corporation is a defendant Cases about the appointment of receivers or liquidators
City Court	Limited Jurisdiction	Cases where the amount in dispute ranges from $15,000 to $50,000
Parish Court	Limited Jurisdiction	Cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $20,000

Public Access to Civil Court Documents in Louisiana

Access to public records falls under the Louisiana Public Records Law, codified in La. R.S. 44:1. This law states that no individual should be denied the right to inspect or examine public documents, including court records. Also, Article 251 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure specifically governs access to court records. It states that the clerk of court, who is the legal custodian, must permit any person to examine, copy, or make a memorandum of these records during office hours.

Records become sealed or classified only when an exception, exemption, or limitation is established by law. For instance, documents pertaining to juvenile proceedings (such as Child in Need of Care cases) are confidential and closed to the public under the Louisiana Children's Code. Furthermore, information revealing an attorney's mental impressions, conclusions, or theories prepared in anticipation of litigation (work product) is generally excluded from disclosure. Personal identifying data, such as social security numbers or financial account numbers, is also protected under the constitutional right to privacy.

How to Lookup Louisiana Civil Court Records

The public can search for Louisiana civil court records through several official avenues, as seen below:

Online

The public may search for Louisiana civil case indices online using the statewide Louisiana Clerks' Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) portal. Also, for detailed documents and case images, users may utilize individual clerk online systems in parishes such as Acadia, Bienville, Claiborne, and Jackson. Parish portals typically require users to create an account and purchase a subscription, such as a daily, monthly, or annual pass, and may assess additional printing charges.

In-Person at the Clerk of Court's Office

The public may visit the Civil Records section of the Clerk of Court's office in the case's originating parish. Clerks assist the public in searching for digital and physical civil records during regular business hours. Inspection of public documents at the office is generally free; however, fees may apply for certain services, such as certified copies or a 10-year individual name search.

Researchers may search cases by Litigant's Name, Case Number, or Attorney Bar Roll Number. Sealed cases, such as adoptions of minors, are not available for public access.

Types of Civil Cases Filed in Louisiana Courts

Louisiana trial courts classify non-criminal actions broadly into domestic and civil cases. Domestic cases involve family matters, such as divorce, custody, and support. Meanwhile, civil cases include

Torts (personal injury, defamation, malpractice)
Contract disputes
Probate and estates
Real property dispute
Small claims (valued at $5,000 or less)
Landlord-tenant evictions

District Courts, serving as courts of general jurisdiction, handle most proceedings and maintain exclusive jurisdiction over probate and title to immovable property. Small claims and landlord-tenant evictions are often heard in courts of limited jurisdiction, such as city courts and Justice of the peace courts.

Information Captured in Louisiana Civil Court Files

Louisiana civil court files document the entire history of a private dispute and are typically stored and indexed by the Clerk of Court in the parish or judicial district where the case was filed. These records include

Pleadings, such as petitions, answers,
Motions and exceptions
Judgments and minutes entries detailing court actions and rulings
Service documents notifying parties of legal actions or court orders,e.g., summonses, subpoenas, and writs.
Exhibits and evidence admitted during trial

Retention and Archiving of Civil Court Records in Louisiana

Louisiana law, specifically La. R.S. 44:36, mandates the retention of civil court records, requiring custodians to preserve them for at least three years, unless a different provision specifies otherwise.

Permanent retention applies to records involving immovable property, adoptions, family law, successions, and trusts. The clerk typically transfers these files to the Department of State five years after the final judgment. Small claims and limited cases are retained for 5 to 10 years. Digital records adhere to the same retention schedules.

Record custodians usually archive inactive files with the Louisiana State Archives. These records may only be destroyed when their retention schedules expire, and never for categories designated as permanent. The public may submit requests for archived documents to the Louisiana Secretary of State. If a requested record is immediately available, the Secretary of State will provide written certification and schedule access within three days (La. R.S. 44:33).