Caldwell Parish Court Docket
The Caldwell Parish court docket holds records for civil, criminal, and family cases filed in the 37th Judicial District. You can search filings, check case status, and request copies through the Clerk of Court in Columbia.
Caldwell Parish Quick Facts
Caldwell Parish Clerk of Court
Hon. Cherie Lott serves as the Clerk of Court for Caldwell Parish. Her office maintains all court docket records for the 37th Judicial District, including civil suits, criminal cases, family matters, and land records. The office is in Columbia at the parish courthouse.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Cherie Lott |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 Main St., Ste. 1, Columbia, LA 71418 Mailing: P.O. Box 1327, Columbia, LA 71418 |
| Phone | (318) 649-2272 |
| Fax | (318) 649-2037 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | www.caldwellclerk.org |
The clerk's website at caldwellclerk.org provides a starting point for online record access. The office also has an eClerks LA QuickStart guide available to help users set up online access to the court docket index.
The Caldwell Parish clerk's site is shown below.
The Caldwell Parish Clerk of Court maintains the official court docket at www.caldwellclerk.org.
The clerk's office is the primary source for all Caldwell Parish court docket records and case filings.
How to Search Caldwell Parish Court Dockets
You have a few ways to search the Caldwell Parish court docket. Online access is available through eClerks LA, which lets you look up case index information at no cost. For full documents, a paid subscription is needed. You can also visit the clerk's office in person during business hours.
When you search in person, bring the full name of a party, a case number, or the filing date range. The clerk's staff can help narrow your search. Older records may only exist on paper or microfilm, so those require an in-office visit.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the P.O. Box with the case details, a return address, and payment for copies if needed. The office will respond when time allows.
Court Docket Record Types in Caldwell Parish
The Caldwell Parish court docket covers a range of case types. Civil cases include suits for money damages, contract disputes, and property claims. Criminal cases include felony charges, misdemeanors, and traffic violations prosecuted in the 37th District. Family court records cover divorce, child custody, adoption, and interdiction matters.
The clerk also records property documents such as mortgages, conveyances, and liens. Probate records for estates of Caldwell Parish residents are filed here as well. Judgment records, including liens against property, are indexed and available for public search.
- Civil suits and judgments
- Criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor)
- Family court filings (divorce, custody)
- Probate and succession records
- Mortgage and conveyance records
- Traffic court records
Online Access to Caldwell Parish Court Dockets
The main online portal for Caldwell Parish court docket records is eClerks LA. This system was created by the Louisiana Clerks of Court Remote Access Association (LCRAA). The index is free to search. Full document images require a subscription fee.
eClerks LA works best in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. You can search by party name, case number, or document type. Not all historical records have been digitized, so older filings may need to be requested in person or by mail.
The eClerks LA QuickStart guide is available through the Caldwell Parish clerk's website. It walks new users through registration and search steps. This is a good first stop before heading to the courthouse.
Public Records Access in Caldwell Parish
Louisiana law gives the public broad access to court records. Under La. R.S. § 44:32, the custodian of public records must present any public record to any person age 18 or older who requests it. No reason is required. You can inspect records for free during normal business hours.
Copy fees in Louisiana typically run between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Some records are restricted by law. Juvenile records are protected under Children's Code Art. 412. Adoption records, sealed court files, mental health records, and grand jury materials are also off-limits to the general public.
The Louisiana Secretary of State's clerk directory lists contact information for every parish clerk in the state. This is useful if you need to verify the current clerk or get updated contact details.
Legal Help Resources for Caldwell Parish
If you need help understanding a court docket entry or navigating the court system, free resources are available. Louisiana Law Help explains the role of the clerk and how to use court records. The site is aimed at people without legal training.
The Louisiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. You can also check with the Louisiana Supreme Court website for self-help resources and links to court forms. For the 2nd Circuit, the Second Circuit Court of Appeal handles appeals from Caldwell Parish cases.
Cities in Caldwell Parish
Columbia is the parish seat and the location of the courthouse. Other communities in Caldwell Parish include Grayson and Clarks. None of these communities have a population over 100,000, so no separate city pages exist. Residents of all Caldwell Parish communities file court cases and access docket records through the clerk's office in Columbia.
Nearby Parishes
Caldwell Parish borders several other parishes in north-central Louisiana. Each has its own clerk of court and maintains separate court docket records.