St. Mary Parish Court Docket

The St. Mary Parish court docket covers civil, criminal, probate, and family cases filed in the 16th Judicial District Court in Franklin, Louisiana. This page helps you find the right office, understand your access rights, and search active and historical case records.

St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court for St. Mary Parish is Hon. Greg Aucoin. The office sits on the second floor of the courthouse in Franklin and handles all filings for the 16th Judicial District, which also covers Iberia and St. Martin parishes. The clerk maintains the official record of every case filed in district court.

There is no public website for this office. Contact the clerk directly by phone or fax to ask about specific cases, fees, or copy requests. Walk-in visits during regular hours are the most reliable way to search older paper records.

The Louisiana Secretary of State's clerk contact directory lists current contact information for all 64 parish clerks, including St. Mary.

The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains a contact list for all parish clerks. The screenshot below shows that statewide resource.

Source: coraweb.sos.la.gov

This directory is a useful starting point when you need to confirm phone numbers or addresses for any Louisiana clerk office.

How to Search St. Mary Court Docket Records

Because the St. Mary Parish Clerk does not operate a public online portal, most docket searches require an in-person visit or a phone inquiry. Come prepared with the full name of a party, the approximate filing date, or a case number if you have one. The clerks can pull index cards or computer records and tell you what documents are on file.

For broader online access, two statewide tools cover many parishes. eClerks LA provides a free index search for participating parishes, with a paid subscription for document images. Clerk Connect is another subscription portal that covers civil, criminal, land, and UCC records. Check each platform to see whether St. Mary Parish data is included at the time of your search.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to P.O. Drawer 1231, Franklin, LA 70538-1231 and include the party name, approximate date, record type, and your return address. Include payment for copy fees when possible; the office will contact you if additional fees apply.

St. Mary Parish Docket Record Types

The clerk's office in Franklin maintains records across several categories. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury suits, and property matters. Criminal filings cover felony and misdemeanor charges prosecuted in district court. Probate records involve successions, interdictions, and tutorships. Family law matters such as divorce, custody, and child support are also kept here.

The clerk also serves as the ex-officio recorder of deeds, mortgages, and other land instruments. Conveyances and mortgage documents become part of the official public record when filed. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings and notarial acts round out the document types held by this office. Each category has its own index, so knowing the record type you need will speed up your search.

• Civil suits and judgments
• Criminal charges and dispositions
• Probate and succession records
• Family court filings (divorce, custody)
• Conveyances and mortgage records
• UCC filings and notarial acts

Online Access to St. Mary Docket Records

Direct online access for St. Mary Parish case records is limited. The clerk's office does not host its own search portal. However, statewide platforms may index some St. Mary records. Try eClerks LA first; it is the most widely used free index for Louisiana district court cases. The site works best in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

The screenshot below shows the eClerks LA statewide portal.

Source: eclerksla.com

If eClerks does not return results for St. Mary, try Clerk Connect. Both platforms require you to create an account before viewing document images. The index search itself is generally free on eClerks.

St. Mary Parish Public Records Law

Louisiana's public records law, La. R.S. § 44:32, gives any person 18 or older the right to inspect public records without giving a reason. The clerk must make records available during normal business hours. You do not need to explain why you want a record or prove any personal connection to the case.

Copy fees are set by law. Expect to pay roughly $0.50 to $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. The clerk can quote the current fee schedule when you call or visit. Inspection of records is free; you only pay when you request physical copies.

Some records are restricted by law. Juvenile records are protected under Louisiana Children's Code Article 412. Adoption files, mental health records, grand jury materials, and sealed court orders are not available to the general public. If you request a record and the clerk cites a restriction, ask for the specific statute that applies.

Louisiana courts operate under La. R.S. § 13:503, which keeps court proceedings and records open to the public except where a specific law requires closure. Most district court hearings are public, and most filed documents become part of the open record once submitted.

Legal Help in St. Mary Parish

If you need help understanding a court filing or navigating the docket, several resources are available. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service and can connect you with attorneys who practice in the 16th Judicial District.

Louisiana Law Help offers plain-language guides on what the clerk's office does, what records are available, and how to represent yourself in common civil matters. The site is free and does not require registration.

The Louisiana Supreme Court website lists self-help resources and approved court forms that can be used in district court. These forms cover family law, small claims, and other common case types. Using the correct form the first time saves time and avoids rejected filings.

Cities in St. Mary Parish

Franklin is the parish seat and the location of the clerk's office. Other communities in St. Mary Parish include Berwick, Morgan City, Patterson, and Baldwin. For court matters, all filings go through the clerk's office in Franklin regardless of which town the parties live in.

Nearby Parishes

St. Mary Parish borders several other parishes in south-central Louisiana. Each has its own clerk of court and docket system.