Court records in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, are maintained by the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. CaddoParishCourt.org can help you find publicly available court record information for the parish. You can also search records directly through the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, Shreveport City Court's online case management system, and other government resources described below.
Caddo Court System Overview
Caddo Parish is part of Louisiana's First Judicial District Court, which serves Caddo Parish exclusively. The parish seat is Shreveport. Louisiana uses a parish-based court system rather than a county system, and each judicial district court is a court of general jurisdiction. The First Judicial District Court handles all major civil, criminal, family, and juvenile matters arising in the parish. Shreveport City Court operates as a court of limited jurisdiction within the city, handling misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small civil claims. Justices of the peace also serve in certain areas of the parish for minor matters. The main courthouse is located in downtown Shreveport.
First Judicial District Court — Caddo Parish Courthouse
Courts Serving Caddo Parish
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| First Judicial District Court | 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 | (318) 226-6780 |
| Shreveport City Court | 1244 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101 | (318) 673-5560 |
| Caddo Parish Juvenile Court | 1835 Spring Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 | (318) 226-6565 |
| U.S. District Court — Western District of Louisiana (Shreveport Division) | 300 Fannin Street, Suite 1167, Shreveport, LA 71101 | (318) 676-4273 |
Federal bankruptcy cases for Caddo Parish are also handled through the Western District of Louisiana.
What Types of Cases Caddo Parish Courts Hear
Courts serving Caddo Parish handle a broad range of case types across criminal, civil, and specialized divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, DWI/DUI
- Civil: General civil litigation, contract disputes, personal injury, small claims
- Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate: Successions (estates), interdictions (guardianships/conservatorships), trusts
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child in need of care (CINC) cases, adoptions
- Traffic: Moving violations, parking infractions, license-related matters
The specific court that handles a case depends on the severity, dollar amount, and subject matter involved.
District Court Cases in Caddo Parish
The First Judicial District Court is the court of general jurisdiction for Caddo Parish. It hears all felony criminal prosecutions, civil cases without a dollar-amount limitation, family law matters including divorce and custody, successions (Louisiana's equivalent of probate), and appeals from city court. Criminal cases typically reach the district court after the district attorney files a bill of information or after a grand jury returns an indictment. Cases are allotted among the sitting district judges. The court also handles post-conviction relief proceedings and injunctive matters. If you need to file a civil suit or respond to one, start at the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court's office, which accepts filings and maintains all district court records.
Magistrate Court Cases in Caddo Parish
Louisiana does not use a magistrate court system in the same way as many other states. In Caddo Parish, limited-jurisdiction matters are handled primarily by Shreveport City Court and by justices of the peace in rural areas. Shreveport City Court has jurisdiction over civil cases up to $50,000, small claims, misdemeanor criminal charges, and traffic violations occurring within city limits. The Criminal/Traffic Division of Shreveport City Court maintains records for all criminal and traffic charges and collects payments for fines. Small claims in city court follow a simplified procedure for disputes involving smaller dollar amounts. DWI arraignments and preliminary hearings may also be conducted at the city court level before cases are transferred to district court if felony charges apply. Justices of the peace handle minor civil disputes and violations outside Shreveport's city limits.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Caddo Parish
Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protective orders, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the First Judicial District Court. Louisiana is a community property state, and family law proceedings follow the Louisiana Civil Code. Certified copies of divorce records can be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted.
Probate (Successions): Louisiana uses the term "succession" rather than probate. The district court handles decedent estates, interdictions (the Louisiana equivalent of guardianship and conservatorship), and trust disputes. Succession proceedings are filed through the Clerk of Court and assigned to a district judge.
Juvenile: Caddo Parish Juvenile Court handles delinquency cases, children in need of care (CINC) proceedings, and adoptions. Juvenile court records are confidential under Louisiana law and are not available to the general public. The juvenile court operates from a separate facility:
How Cases Move Through the Caddo Parish Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or the filing of a bill of information by the district attorney. Civil cases start when a petition is filed with the Clerk of Court. Family and succession matters also begin with a petition.
- Assignment to a judge: Cases are allotted to one of the district court judges through the clerk's office.
- Initial hearings: In criminal cases, the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea. In civil cases, a scheduling conference or status conference is typically set.
- Pre-trial phase: Discovery, motions, plea negotiations (criminal), and mediation or settlement discussions (civil) take place during this phase.
- Trial or resolution: Cases may be resolved by plea agreement, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases proceed to sentencing. Civil judgments may be appealed to the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal. Enforcement actions, such as garnishment or seizure, are handled through the clerk's office and the sheriff.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Caddo Parish
The First Judicial District Court is administered by its judges, with one serving as the chief judge responsible for administrative matters. The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court serves as the custodian of all court records, including civil suits, criminal cases, conveyances, mortgages, marriage licenses, and court minutes.
Public access: Under the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), most court records are generally open to the public. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed records, and certain adoption files. You can submit a public records request to the Parish of Caddo in writing, by phone, or by email — though written requests are recommended. For court-specific records, contact the Clerk of Court directly.
Attending hearings: Court proceedings at the First Judicial District Court are generally open to the public. Some hearings may be conducted by video conference at the court's discretion. Contact the clerk's office to confirm whether a specific hearing will be held in person or remotely.
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Caddo Parish
- District court records: The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court maintains records for civil suits, criminal cases, mortgages, conveyances, marriage licenses, and court minutes. You can request records in person or contact the office by phone.
- City court case search: Shreveport City Court has implemented a new case management system with online tools to research cases and make court records payments.
- Criminal and traffic records: The Criminal/Traffic Division of Shreveport City Court maintains all criminal and traffic charge records and handles fine payments.
- Vital records: Birth and death certificates are available through the Louisiana Department of Health Center for Vital Records or the Caddo Parish Health Unit. Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Court.
- Background checks: The Louisiana State Police Internet Background Check system allows you to run criminal history checks pursuant to La. R.S. 15:587.
- Inmate and offender search: The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections offender search is updated daily and allows searches by name, location, or ID number. For local bookings, the Shreveport City Jail publishes daily inmate booking reports.
- Federal court records: Cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana can be searched through the federal PACER system.
- Parish information and local government contacts: The official Louisiana state page for Caddo Parish provides links to the assessor, clerk of court, emergency preparedness, and other local offices.
- Property tax information: Property in Caddo Parish is assessed by the Caddo Parish Tax Assessor. The City of Shreveport provides property tax information online, or you can call the Revenue Division at (318) 673-5500.