Updated March 30, 2022 at 2:30 p.m.

EMERGENCY COURT CLOSURE

Acting in accordance with Louisiana Constitution Article V, Section 1 and the inherent power of this Court, and given that the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the City of New Orleans are closing, in consideration of the anticipated hazardous weather conditions, the threat of high winds and flooding and other safety risks for the public and court staff, Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans will close early today, Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.
Further, evening Magistrate Court scheduled for today will conduct court proceedings remotely/virtually.  Individuals should access court proceedings by utilizing the Magistrate Virtual Court link on the Court’s website below.
 
Access court proceedings by going to
www.criminalcourt.org
Magistrate Virtual Courtroom Access

​MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert Kazik
Judicial Administrator
Orleans Parish Criminal Court
504 439 5630
rkazik@criminalcourt.org

COVID-19

Updated January 27, 2022 at 1:20 p.m.

MAGISTRATE EVENING SESSION RETURN TO COURT



PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Orleans, La. January 27, 2022) Orleans Parish Criminal District Court’s evening Magistrate Court proceedings will return to in-person sessions on Monday, January 31, 2022.  Individuals with subpoenas to appear must appear in person.  Monday through Thursday sessions will be open to subpoenaed defendants and their attorneys only with access to the building via the Court’s Tulane Avenue entrance.  Additionally, first appearances, weekend and holiday settings, as well as all proceedings, will continue to be virtual for public viewing.   All current Court COVID-19 protocols will be mandated.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert Kazik
Judicial Administrator
Orleans Parish Criminal Court
504 439 5630
rkazik@criminalcourt.org
Updated January 5, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.


JURY SERVICE AND jury TRIALS

​SUSPENDED


​CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT’S STATEMENT ON
COVID-19 RESURGENCE AND JURORS
 
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Orleans, La. January 5, 2022) The Orleans Parish Criminal District Court acting in accordance with the Louisiana Constitution Article V, Section 1; and in accordance with the inherent powers of this Court, and considering the resurgence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) by the omicron variant in Louisiana and in the Parish of Orleans, and further considering the public health recommendations to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus and slow the spread of the disease, the Chief Judge, acting on behalf of the Court En Banc of Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans is suspending juror service and jury trials through March 7, 2022.  Jurors should not report for service prior to Monday, March 7, 2022.  Jurors who were scheduled to report will be deferred to a later date.
            Further, the public is asked to watch all media outlets for updates and additional information or visit the Court’s website at www.criminalcourt.org. Individual questions regarding juror service should be directed to the Jury Commission Office at 504.658.9200.
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert Kazik
Judicial Administrator
Orleans Parish Criminal Court
504 439 5630
rkazik@criminalcourt.org

In order to maintain social distancing, the building will open to the public on a limited basis.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

Defendants with court scheduled hearings shall report on their scheduled hearing date.
Proceedings will continue to be available both in-person and through Zoom Courtroom.

Sections of Court will open daily, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Magistrate Court will operate on Mondays through Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

Magistrate 2 through Magistrate 5 will operate at 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
and on weekends and holidays  via Zoom Courtroom.

Jury trials are suspended until further notice.

Criminal District Court Administrative
Recommended Courtroom COVID Protocols & Reminders
Revised: 2020-10-15

​

Drug TESTING

Drug Testing resumed on Monday, June 1, 2020 and will be conducted as per a schedule between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.   Defendants and agency clients are to maintain contact with their case managers and agency.   Defendants who are drug testing shall enter the courthouse at the S. White Street side of the building directly into the Drug Testing area (formerly the Coroner’s Office).

filings, expungements and dispositions

All criminal filings are being accepted Mondays through Friday in the Clerk's Office between  8:30 a.m.  and 3:00 p.m.
​
Expungement and Disposition (Background Checks) requests will be accepted in person or by calling 504.658.9000
​ Monday - Friday between ​9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Juror Service

All criminal juror service and jury trials are suspended until Monday, March 7, 2022.

ACCESS

  1. All individuals entering the courthouse shall be required to wear a protective facial mask in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Governor’s Proclamation and Mayor’s Declaration.  Those who report without a mask will be provided a mask while supplies last.
  2. Access to the courthouse will be strictly limited by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to ensure that safe occupancy numbers and social distancing protocols are maintained.
  3. In compliance with the City of New Orleans’ mandate, any person who has active symptoms of COVID-19, or who has been ordered to isolate/quarantine due to COVID-19, or has been in contact with a family or household member under the same conditions/restrictions shall be prohibited from appearing and entering the courthouse.  He/she shall contact the court directly by telephone or email to make further arrangements and obtain a new court date.
  4. In compliance with the City of New Orleans’ mandate, any person with pre-existing medical conditions that increase vulnerability to COVID-19 or who is 65 years of age or older may request to reschedule their court date by contacting the court directly by telephone or email to make further arrangements and to obtain a new court date.
  5. Defendants with subpoenas to appear for Magistrate Court shall contact their attorney or the Orleans Public Defenders Office directly or the Clerk of Court by telephone to obtain information regarding the status of their case. 
  6. Section Courtroom Zoom proceedings may be accessed from the links above under each Section's schedule information. 
  7. The Zoom Courtroom is  an official record of the court proceedings and as such all parties agree to participating via Zoom Courtroom. This Zoom Courtroom is an extension of the formal courtroom.  Any and all audio and/or video recordings of any proceedings are strictly prohibited and violators will be subject to contempt of court. Professional attire and conduct are required. Participants are expected to appear in appropriate attire and background for all proceedings and are expected to adhere to all rules that apply while in the formal courtroom.  Any unruly behavior and excessive noise, including interruption of the court proceedings, will result in immediate removal from the hearing and possible denial from future hearings.

DEFENSE COUNSEL

  1. Criminal defense attorneys are strongly encouraged to utilize La. Dist. Court Rule 18, Appendix 18 – Waiver of Defendant’s Presence in criminal proceedings.
  2. Attorneys are strongly encouraged to complete all forms, including but not limited to Boykin forms, specialty court contracts, stay away orders, diversion referrals and hearing officer conference forms prior to the date and time scheduled for appearance/hearing.  
  3. Court Filings are to be filed in person with the Clerk of Court and/or via email directly to the Section of Court.

Follow A Case

In order to find out details regarding individual cases, please click on the link below: 
Criminal Court Docket Master​

Get More Information

All participants are strongly encouraged to access the Court’s website at www.criminalcourt.org for information.  Participants should directly contact the Clerk of Criminal District Court at 504.658.9000 for information and the disposition regarding specific individual cases. 
​Further, for information on incarcerated defendants, contact the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office at 504.202.9339.  For all other inquiries contact the Judicial Administrator’s Office at 504.658.9100.
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