LaSalle Parish Court Docket
LaSalle Parish court docket records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Jena, which serves the 28th Judicial District Court. This small central Louisiana parish keeps civil, criminal, probate, and land records through the clerk's office at the Jena courthouse. The records are open to the public under Louisiana law, and online access may be available through statewide portals for those who cannot visit in person.
LaSalle Parish Quick Facts
LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court for LaSalle Parish is Hon. Alisha R. Smith. Her office is at 1050 Courthouse St., Suite 1, in Jena. The clerk manages the official court docket for the 28th Judicial District and serves as the official recorder for all land documents in the parish. Civil case files, criminal records, land recordings, marriage licenses, and notarial acts are all kept at this office.
The 28th Judicial District covers LaSalle Parish only. It is not shared with any other parish. All district court filings for LaSalle Parish go through the Jena courthouse. The clerk's website at lasalleclerk.com provides information about available services and records access options. Staff can help with case lookups, copy requests, and land record searches.
Appeals from LaSalle Parish go to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles. That court's online docket covers appellate cases from the 28th Judicial District. LaSalle Parish is a small parish, but its court records go back many decades and are maintained by the clerk's office in Jena.
The LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court website at lasalleclerk.com provides information on court records, land records, and online access options available through the Jena courthouse.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Alisha R. Smith |
|---|---|
| Address | 1050 Courthouse St., Ste. 1, Jena, LA 71342 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 67, Jena, LA 71342 |
| Phone | (318) 992-2158 |
| Fax | (318) 992-2254 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lasalleclerk.com |
How to Search LaSalle Parish Court Dockets
The most direct way to search the LaSalle Parish court docket is in person at the Jena courthouse. Visit during regular business hours and bring the name of a party or a case number. Staff will search the docket and let you view the file. Copies of documents can be ordered during your visit. Call ahead to confirm current copy fees before you go.
Online, the eClerks LA portal is the primary statewide tool for Louisiana parish records. It provides free index searches for land, civil, probate, and marriage records in participating parishes. Check the portal to see if LaSalle Parish is currently listed. Free searches show basic case information. Full document images require a paid subscription.
The Clerk Connect platform is another option. Some central Louisiana parishes use this system for civil and land record access. Check the site to confirm whether LaSalle Parish participates. Both platforms work with current desktop browsers.
For a current list of all Louisiana clerk of court offices with contact information, use the Secretary of State's clerk directory. It covers all 64 parishes and is updated regularly.
For appellate records, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal handles cases from LaSalle Parish. Any case appealed from the 28th Judicial District is on the 3rd Circuit's docket in Lake Charles.
LaSalle Parish Court Docket Record Types
The 28th Judicial District Court handles several types of cases. Civil matters include contract disputes, property claims, personal injury suits, and successions. Criminal cases cover charges from misdemeanors up to serious felonies prosecuted by the district attorney. Probate filings include wills, successions, and interdictions. Family law matters are filed at the district court level too. All case types are entered into the court docket by the clerk's office.
Land records are held at the same office. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and UCC filings for LaSalle Parish are recorded here by the clerk. These are separate from court case files but managed by the same staff. Anyone checking property title or outstanding liens in LaSalle Parish will need to search these land records through the clerk's office.
Marriage licenses and notarial acts are also held at the clerk's office. The clerk of court is the official recorder for LaSalle Parish. That means one stop covers court cases, land records, and civil status documents.
Online Access to LaSalle Parish Docket Records
Remote access to LaSalle Parish court docket records depends on whether the parish participates in statewide platforms. Check the eClerks LA portal first. This is the primary online tool for Louisiana parish records and covers land, civil, probate, and marriage records in participating parishes. Free index searches are available. Full document images cost extra and require a paid account.
If eClerks LA does not yet include LaSalle Parish, you can request records by mail. Write to the clerk's office at the mailing address in Jena. Include party names, approximate filing dates, and a description of the specific documents you need. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed up the response. The clerk will confirm fees before sending copies.
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal maintains its own online docket for appellate-level cases. If a LaSalle Parish case went up on appeal, it will be on the 3rd Circuit's docket in Lake Charles.
Public Records Access in LaSalle Parish
Under La. R.S. § 44:32, any person 18 or older has the right to inspect public records held by a government custodian. No reason is required. Inspection during business hours is free. Fees apply only for copies of records. Court docket files in LaSalle Parish are public under this law. Civil filings, criminal docket entries, judgments, and recorded land documents are open to the public.
Some records are restricted by statute. Juvenile case files are closed under the Louisiana Children's Code. Adoption records are sealed. Grand jury proceedings are not public. Mental health records have separate privacy protections. The clerk's staff can tell you whether a specific record is open or restricted before you make a trip to Jena.
If you believe a record that should be public is being withheld, the Louisiana Law Help website explains your rights and how to pursue access under the public records law.
Legal Help in LaSalle Parish
The Louisiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an attorney who practices in LaSalle Parish or the central Louisiana region. For residents who cannot afford a private attorney, legal aid organizations serving the area may provide free civil legal help to qualifying individuals based on income.
For self-help resources, the Louisiana Law Help website has plain-language guides on clerk of court services, what records are public, and how to request them. The Louisiana Supreme Court site also links to self-help materials for court users across the state.
Nearby Parishes
LaSalle Parish is in central Louisiana. Several neighboring parishes have their own district courts and clerk of court offices. Use party addresses or the location of events to determine which parish holds the records you need.