St. Martin Parish Public Records /St. Martin Parish Court Records

St. Martin County Court Records

What Is St. Martin County Court Records

Court records in St. Martin County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the formal written history of legal actions and include a broad range of materials:

Case files — the complete collection of documents filed in connection with a specific legal matter
Dockets — chronological logs of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a case
Pleadings and motions — formal written submissions by parties, including complaints, answers, petitions, and requests for court action
Orders and judgments — official rulings issued by presiding judges
Transcripts — verbatim written records of court proceedings
Exhibits — physical or documentary evidence admitted during hearings or trials
Sentencing records — documentation of penalties imposed in criminal matters

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in St. Martin County. Property records are held by the St. Martin Parish Assessor's Office, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Louisiana Department of Health. Court records are specifically generated through the judicial process and maintained by the clerk of court.

In St. Martin County (St. Martin Parish), Louisiana, records are maintained across several court divisions, including the 16th Judicial District Court, which handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. Traffic matters, small claims, and certain misdemeanor cases may be handled at the municipal or justice of the peace level. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1, public records are broadly defined to include all documents made or received in connection with the transaction of public business.

Are Court Records Public In St. Martin County

Court records in St. Martin County are generally accessible to the public under Louisiana law. The Louisiana Public Records Law, codified at La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., establishes the right of any person to inspect, copy, or reproduce public records maintained by state and local government bodies, including courts. This statutory framework affirms that transparency in judicial proceedings is a foundational principle of Louisiana governance.

The following categories of court records are generally available for public inspection:

Most civil case files, including petitions, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Judgments and court orders
Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
Scheduled hearing dates and courtroom assignments

It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana are governed by federal law and accessed through the federal PACER system, not through St. Martin Parish offices. State court records fall under Louisiana's public records statutes and are managed locally by the Clerk of Court.

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under current law. These include juvenile records, adoption proceedings, mental health commitments, records sealed by court order, and documents protected under La. R.S. § 46:1844, which provides confidentiality protections for crime victims. The Louisiana Supreme Court has also issued administrative rules governing access to court records, which supplement the statutory framework.

How To Find Court Records in St. Martin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in St. Martin County may access them through several official channels. The primary custodian of court records is the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court, which maintains files for the 16th Judicial District Court.

In-Person Access:

Visit the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court office during regular business hours
Provide the case number, party name, or approximate filing date to assist staff in locating records
Members of the public may inspect records at the public counter without charge; fees apply for certified copies

Written or Mail Requests:

Submit a written request identifying the records sought with sufficient specificity
Include the requester's name, contact information, and preferred method of response
Under La. R.S. § 44:35, custodians must respond to public records requests within three business days

Online Access:

The Clerk of Court's online portal allows remote searching of case indexes and docket information
Certain documents may be available for electronic viewing or download

St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court 415 S. Main Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582 (337) 394-2210 St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

How To Look Up Court Records in St. Martin County Online?

Several online platforms currently provide access to St. Martin Parish court records, depending on the type of case and the court involved.

Louisiana Clerks of Court Online Portal: The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association maintains a statewide remote access system through which users may search case records from participating parishes, including St. Martin Parish. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name.

Navigate to the Louisiana Clerks Remote Access portal
Select St. Martin Parish from the parish directory
Enter search criteria such as party name or case number
Review the case index and available docket entries
Select individual cases to view detailed docket information

Louisiana Supreme Court Case Information: The Louisiana Supreme Court website provides access to appellate opinions, docket information for cases before the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal, and links to lower court resources.

Federal Court Records via PACER: For cases filed in federal court, members of the public may access records through the PACER system, administered by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Registration is required, and per-page fees may apply.

Louisiana Court Connect: The Louisiana Judiciary operates Louisiana Court Connect, a public-facing portal providing access to case information from district courts across the state, including the 16th Judicial District.

How To Search St. Martin County Court Records for Free?

Louisiana law currently guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no cost. Under La. R.S. § 44:32, the custodian of public records must allow any person to examine a public record free of charge. Fees may only be assessed for copies, certifications, or other services beyond basic inspection.

The following options are available for free record searches:

In-person inspection at the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court office — no fee is charged to view records at the public counter
Louisiana Court Connect — the Louisiana Court Connect portal provides free online access to case index information and docket entries for district court cases
Louisiana Clerks Remote Access — basic case index searches are available at no cost through the statewide clerks' portal
Louisiana Supreme Court website — published appellate opinions and docket information are freely accessible

Fees are assessed for printed copies, certified copies, and certain document retrieval services. The Clerk of Court publishes a current fee schedule at the public counter and on its official website.

What's Included in a St. Martin County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following components:

Civil Case Records:

Petition or complaint initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Answers, counterclaims, and cross-claims
Motions and supporting memoranda
Discovery-related filings (where not sealed)
Pre-trial orders and scheduling notices
Trial transcripts and admitted exhibits
Final judgment and any post-judgment motions

Criminal Case Records:

Bill of information or indictment
Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
Arraignment and plea records
Pre-trial motions and rulings
Trial transcripts
Verdict and sentencing documentation
Probation or parole conditions

Family and Domestic Relations Records:

Petitions for divorce, custody, or support
Protective orders
Consent judgments and stipulations
Child support calculations and orders

Probate Records:

Succession petitions and inventories
Wills admitted to probate
Letters testamentary or of administration
Final accounting and judgment of possession

Traffic and Minor Offense Records:

Citation information
Plea and disposition records
Fine payment documentation

How Long Does St. Martin County Keep Court Records?

Court record retention in Louisiana is governed by schedules established by the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office in coordination with the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.

Record Type	Retention Period
Civil judgments	Permanent
Criminal conviction records	Permanent
Felony case files	Permanent
Misdemeanor case files	10 years after disposition
Traffic citations (minor)	5 years
Probate successions	Permanent
Juvenile records (sealed)	Until subject reaches age 24
Court minutes and dockets	Permanent

The Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Management Division publishes the official Louisiana Records Retention Schedules, which govern the minimum periods for which public records must be preserved. Permanent records may not be destroyed without authorization from the State Archivist. Under La. R.S. § 44:36, public records must be retained for the period specified in the applicable retention schedule.

Types of Courts In St. Martin County

St. Martin Parish is served by a hierarchy of state courts, from courts of limited jurisdiction at the local level to the Louisiana Supreme Court at the apex of the state judicial system.

16th Judicial District Court (Primary Trial Court) The 16th Judicial District Court serves St. Martin, St. Mary, and Iberia parishes and is the principal court of general jurisdiction in St. Martin Parish. It handles felony criminal matters, major civil cases, family law, probate, and juvenile proceedings.

St. Martin Parish — 16th Judicial District Court 415 S. Main Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582 (337) 394-2210 16th Judicial District Court Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Justice of the Peace Courts Justice of the Peace courts in Louisiana are courts of limited jurisdiction handling minor civil disputes and certain misdemeanor matters. Multiple justices of the peace serve St. Martin Parish precincts.

City Court of Breaux Bridge The City Court of Breaux Bridge handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic violations, and civil cases within its jurisdictional limits.

City Court of Breaux Bridge 101 Berard Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337) 332-2171 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal Appeals from the 16th Judicial District Court are heard by the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, located in Lake Charles.

Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal 1000 Main Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 (337) 433-9403 Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Louisiana Supreme Court The Louisiana Supreme Court is the court of last resort for state matters.

Louisiana Supreme Court 400 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 310-2300 Louisiana Supreme Court Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

What Types of Cases Do St. Martin County Courts Hear?

Each court within St. Martin Parish's judicial structure handles a defined category of cases.

16th Judicial District Court:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Major civil litigation (claims exceeding jurisdictional minimums)
Divorce, child custody, and support proceedings
Successions and probate matters
Juvenile delinquency and child in need of care proceedings
Interdictions and mental health commitments

City Court of Breaux Bridge:

Misdemeanor criminal offenses
Traffic violations and ordinance infractions
Civil matters within the court's monetary jurisdiction
Small claims disputes

Justice of the Peace Courts:

Minor civil disputes (typically under $5,000)
Landlord-tenant matters within jurisdictional limits
Certain misdemeanor and ordinance violations

Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal:

Appeals from final judgments of the 16th Judicial District Court
Interlocutory appeals as permitted by law

Louisiana Supreme Court:

Discretionary review of Court of Appeal decisions
Cases involving constitutional questions
Mandatory review in capital cases

How To Find a Court Docket In St. Martin County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access St. Martin Parish court dockets through the following methods:

Online Search:

Visit Louisiana Court Connect and select the 16th Judicial District Court
Enter the party name, case number, or attorney name in the search fields
Review the case summary and docket entries displayed

In-Person at the Clerk of Court:

Visit the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court at 415 S. Main Street, St. Martinville
Request docket information by providing the case number or party name
Staff will retrieve the docket sheet for public inspection at no charge

Telephone Inquiry:

Contact the Clerk of Court at (337) 394-2210 during business hours for general docket inquiries

For Federal Cases:

Access the PACER system to search dockets for cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana

Which Courts in St. Martin County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and whose judgments carry a presumption of validity. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and typically handle minor matters with limited appellate review.

In Louisiana, Justice of the Peace courts are generally considered courts not of record. These courts handle minor civil and criminal matters but do not maintain the same level of formal documentation as district courts. Under Louisiana Constitution Article V, the judicial power of the state is vested in a supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, and such other courts as the legislature may establish. Justice of the Peace courts are established by statute as courts of limited, non-record jurisdiction.

In St. Martin Parish, the following are generally classified as courts not of record:

Justice of the Peace Courts — multiple precincts throughout the parish; handle minor civil disputes and certain misdemeanor matters without maintaining verbatim transcripts
Mayor's Courts — where applicable in incorporated municipalities, these courts handle minor ordinance violations and are not courts of record under Louisiana law

Parties dissatisfied with a judgment from a court not of record are entitled to a de novo appeal — meaning a completely new trial — before the appropriate district court, as the appellate court does not review a transcript but instead conducts an entirely new proceeding. This right is recognized under Louisiana procedural rules governing appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.