Criminal/Traffic Court
The Criminal/Traffic Department is responsible for preserving the record for all arraignments and trials. It also accepts payments for some citations prior to their arraignment date. The following citations must appear before the Judge on their assigned court date:
Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquors, alcoholic beverages, or drugs.
Reckless Operation of a motor vehicle.
Speeding in a School Zone.
Speeding in excess of 20 miles over the applicable speed limit.
Leaving the scene of an accident.
Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.
Accidents.
Most other tickets may be paid before your assigned court date. We only accept cash, money orders, and credit cards. We do not accept checks. Credit card payments can be accepted on the phone. There is a 5% credit card handling fee collected under Louisiana Statue R.S. 13:1898 added to all credit card transactions.
Your ticket is your signed, written promise to appear in court and enter a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty, or No Contest. If we do not receive payment for your ticket BEFORE the date indicated or you appear in person on your appointed court date, you will be charged under Louisiana Statue R. S. 32:57.1, Failure to honor written promise to appear. Once charged, your ticket will be assessed a $100 Warrant penalty and will be reported to the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles immediately. The DMV will then suspend your license until you pay your ticket with City Court. After you pay your additional fines and court costs, you will be required to pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV.