Find Records in Evangeline Parish Court Docket
Evangeline Parish court docket records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Ville Platte, the seat of the 13th Judicial District. Civil, criminal, family, and property records from this district court are public records you can search or request through the clerk's office or through Louisiana's statewide online portals.
Evangeline Parish Quick Facts
Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court
Hon. Randall M. "Randy" Deshotel is the Clerk of Court for Evangeline Parish. The office is at 200 Court St. in Ville Platte. The clerk maintains the official court docket for the 13th Judicial District, covering all civil suits, criminal cases, family proceedings, successions, and land records. Marriage licenses and notarial acts are also processed here.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Randall M. "Randy" Deshotel |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Court St., Ste. 104, Ville Platte, LA 70586 Mailing: P.O. Drawer 347, Ville Platte, LA 70586 |
| Phone | (337) 363-5671 |
| Fax | (337) 363-5780 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Evangeline Parish does not have a dedicated clerk's website. Online access to the court docket is available through the statewide eClerks LA portal, shown below.
The eClerks LA portal is the primary online tool for searching the Evangeline Parish court docket without a trip to the courthouse.
eClerks LA covers most Louisiana parishes and lets you search the case index for free before contacting the Ville Platte clerk's office for documents.
How to Search Evangeline Parish Court Dockets
Start with eClerks LA for an online index search. A free account lets you look up party names, case numbers, and filing dates on the Evangeline Parish court docket. For full document images, a subscription is needed. The system runs in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
In-person access is available Monday through Friday at the Ville Platte courthouse. Bring as much case detail as you have. A party name or rough date range is enough to start. The clerk's staff can help locate records in both digital and paper form.
Mail requests go to P.O. Drawer 347, Ville Platte, LA 70586. State clearly what you need. Include your return address and payment for copies. The clerk's office will process your request and respond in due course.
Evangeline Parish Court Docket Record Types
The Evangeline Parish court docket includes records from the 13th Judicial District. Civil records cover lawsuits, money claims, and property disputes. Criminal records span felony charges and misdemeanor cases brought by the state. Family court records include divorce filings, child custody determinations, child support orders, and interdiction proceedings.
Probate and succession records for Evangeline Parish residents are filed with the clerk. Land records, including mortgages, acts of sale, and judgment liens, are also maintained here. Traffic citations and violations heard in the district court are part of the public docket as well.
- Civil suits and money judgments
- Criminal filings and charges
- Family court records (divorce, custody, support)
- Probate and succession filings
- Mortgage and conveyance documents
- Traffic citations
Online Access to Evangeline Parish Court Dockets
eClerks LA is the main online system for the Evangeline Parish court docket. This statewide portal was created by the Louisiana Clerks of Court Remote Access Association. Free accounts let you search the index. Paid subscribers can view and print full document images from any computer.
The Clerk Connect portal may also be worth checking. This subscription service covers civil, criminal, land, and property records in many Louisiana parishes. If you cannot find what you need on one portal, try the other.
For records that predate digitization, only the clerk's office in Ville Platte will have access. Call (337) 363-5671 to ask whether a specific record is available online before making a trip.
Public Records Access in Evangeline Parish
Louisiana's public records law is broad. Under La. R.S. § 44:32, any person 18 or older can inspect public records without giving a reason. Inspection is free during normal business hours. Copy fees are typically $0.50 to $1.00 per page at most clerk offices.
Some records are restricted by law. Juvenile case files are sealed under the Children's Code. Adoption records, court-ordered sealed cases, mental health records, and grand jury materials are off-limits to the public. The clerk will advise you if the record you need falls into a restricted category.
Use the Louisiana Secretary of State clerk directory to verify contact information for the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court and other Louisiana parishes at any time.
Legal Help Resources for Evangeline Parish
Louisiana Law Help has free plain-language guidance on what clerks of court do and how to get public records. This is a good first stop if you are new to searching court dockets.
The Louisiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Appeals from Evangeline Parish cases are heard by the Third Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles. The Louisiana Supreme Court website also has self-help tools and court forms.
Cities in Evangeline Parish
Ville Platte is the parish seat and the location of the 13th District courthouse. Mamou and Basile are other communities in the parish. All Evangeline Parish residents file court cases and access court docket records through the clerk's office in Ville Platte.
Nearby Parishes
Evangeline Parish is in south-central Louisiana and surrounded by several Acadiana parishes. Each has its own clerk and separate court docket records.