Court records in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, are maintained by the district court clerk and are accessible through official court portals, the clerk's office, and online tools. StMartinparishCourt.us provides access to public information about parish court records. Additionally, you can use the official court clerk's page, state portals, and personal visits to the office to obtain certified copies of documents and verify case materials.
St. Martin Court System Overview
St. Martin Parish is part of the 16th Judicial District of Louisiana. This district exclusively serves St. Martin Parish — unlike many other districts that cover multiple parishes. The district court handles all civil and criminal cases of general jurisdiction, as well as family law, probate, and juvenile cases.
The administrative center of the parish is the city of St. Martinville. The courthouse is located at:
The court operates on weekdays. It is recommended to call the clerk's office to confirm working hours. General information about the parish can be found on the official Louisiana state website.
Courts Serving St. Martin
Residents of the parish are served by several courts of different levels of jurisdiction:
State District Court
City Court
St. Martin Parish has a city court in Breaux Bridge, which handles minor offenses, traffic violations, and civil cases with limited jurisdiction.
Federal District Court
St. Martin Parish falls under the jurisdiction of the Western District of Louisiana (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana), with the nearest division located in Lafayette.
Bankruptcy Court
Bankruptcy cases are handled by the same Western District — U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette division.
What Types of Cases St. Martin Courts Hear
The parish courts handle a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations and minor offenses (infractions)
- Civil lawsuits — from small claims to complex commercial disputes
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony, paternity
- Probate, guardianship, estate management
- Juvenile cases and child protection
- Adoption
- DUI and other traffic offenses
A detailed examination of each category is provided in the following sections.
District Court Cases in St. Martin
The 16th District Court has full jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases in the parish. The district court judge hears felonies after indictment by a grand jury or after a preliminary hearing. Civil cases without a limit on the claim amount also fall under the jurisdiction of this court.
Additionally, the district court hears appeals from the Breaux Bridge City Court, post-conviction relief cases, and election-related matters. Cases are assigned to district judges according to internal rules. The parish prosecutor initiates criminal prosecution, and the defendant has the right to an attorney — court-appointed if necessary.
Magistrate Court Cases in St. Martin
Louisiana does not have a separate magistrate court system like some other states. Instead, the Breaux Bridge City Court serves as a limited jurisdiction court for part of the parish. It handles:
- Misdemeanors and minor offenses
- Traffic violations
- Civil claims not exceeding the statutory limit for city courts
- DUI cases — initial hearings and arrests
For civil cases in Louisiana city courts, the jurisdictional limit is typically up to $50,000, though the specific limit may vary. Small claims cases in Louisiana are called "suits on small claims" and are handled under a simplified procedure. Cases exceeding the jurisdiction of the city court are transferred to the 16th District Court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in St. Martin
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders, and paternity establishment are all handled by the 16th District Court. The court clerk accepts petitions and maintains all family law case documents. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained through the state's online services portal.
Probate Matters
Successions, interdictions, and tutorship of minors are also within the jurisdiction of the district court. Louisiana uses a civil law system, so inheritance procedures here differ significantly from other states.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile delinquency and child in need of care (CINC) cases are heard by the district court. These records are confidential. The parish child protection service — DCFS St. Martin Parish — coordinates investigations and provides services to families. A separate juvenile facility operates under the parish sheriff's office.
How Cases Move Through the St. Martin Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with an arrest or court summons; a civil case starts with filing a petition with the clerk's office.
- Judge Assignment. The case is assigned to a judge in the 16th District according to internal rules.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment, where charges are read to the defendant, and they plead guilty or not guilty. In civil cases — a scheduling conference is set.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea bargaining may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case may conclude with a jury trial verdict, a guilty plea, a settlement, or a default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, appeal (to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal of Louisiana), enforcement of judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in St. Martin
The administration of the 16th District courts is managed by the district's administrative judge. Local court rules regulate filing procedures, deadlines, and courtroom conduct.
According to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), most court records are public. Exceptions apply to juvenile cases, sealed records, and certain records protected by court order. To request public records, you can use the procedure described on the Division of Administration website.
Court sessions are open to the public — you can attend in person at the courthouse in St. Martinville. Some hearings may be held remotely — check with the clerk's office.
Clerk's office contact information:
Record management forms are available on the Louisiana Secretary of State's website.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in St. Martin
- Court Case Search. The parish court clerk maintains a registry of court cases. To search for information, use StMartinparishCourt.us or contact the court clerk's office directly.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. An index of death records over 50 years old is available through the Secretary of State's public online index.
- Criminal History Check. A request for a criminal background check can be submitted through the Louisiana State Police Internet Background Check system. The relevant state law outlines the provision of such information.
- Inmate Search. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections allows you to find individuals under supervision or in custody.
- Genealogical and Historical Research. The Secretary of State's Research Library contains archival materials for genealogical searches.
- Public Information on the Correctional System. General information about the correctional facilities and information requests are available on the DOC public information page.
- Child Protection. The DCFS St. Martin Parish provides services in child protection and family welfare cases.