Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office
Local Legal Guide — Lake Charles, Louisiana
Everything you need to know about the office responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in Calcasieu Parish — from an attorney who has negotiated with and litigated against this office for 17 years.
Who is the District Attorney?
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office is Led by Stephen C. Dwight. He is a Southern Law School graduate with extensive legal experience. In the past he has served as counsel for The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff, Tony Mancuso, the city of Westlake as a city prosecutor, city attorney, and magistrate. Succeeding this, he served Louisiana’s district 35 in the Louisiana House of Representatives which he was elected to office during 2015. On January 10th, 2021, he was sworn into oath as the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney and has been fluent serving since. Since then, he has served in the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, Louisiana District Attorneys Association, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, and Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking in Southwest Louisiana.
Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office
If you are facing criminal charges in Calcasieu Parish, this office is prosecuting your case.
| Physical Address 901 Lakeshore Dr. Lake Charles, LA 70601 | Mailing Address P.O. Box 3206 Lake Charles, LA 70602 |
| Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Website https://www.calcasieuda.com/ |
| Parking Free parking at the Lake Charles Event Center across Lakeshore Drive | Telephone Number (337) 437-3400 |
How Is the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office Organized?
There are 9 internal divisions of the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office., each handling a specific area of prosecution and legal services.
Felony — One Assistant District Attorney is assigned to each division of the 14th Judicial District Court and handles all felony prosecutions within that division. Under Louisiana law, a felony is any crime punishable by death or imprisonment at hard labor.
Misdemeanor — The Misdemeanor Division handles all misdemeanor criminal cases in Calcasieu Parish, processing approximately 2,500 cases per year. Staff handle court scheduling, grand jury processing, and arrest and bond verification for each file.
Juvenile — The Juvenile Division prosecutes all juvenile crimes in the parish, as well as Families in Need of Services (FINS) matters. Depending on the age of the offender, many cases are initially resolved without court action through a referral to the Parish Office of Juvenile Justice Services.
Special Victims Unit — The SVU handles prosecution of all domestic violence and severe child abuse cases. The unit works closely with victims to assist families in breaking the cycle of abuse while aggressively prosecuting offenders.
Appellate — The Appellate Division handles appeals filed by defendants following conviction. The division prepares and files documents with the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, the Louisiana Supreme Court, federal courts of appeal, and the United States Supreme Court.
Civil — The Civil Division provides legal counsel and representation to local government entities in Calcasieu Parish, advising on legal matters arising from the performance of their official duties and representing them in litigation when necessary.
Bond Forfeiture — When a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court date, the Bond Forfeiture Division initiates forfeiture proceedings against the posted bond. The surety — whether a personal guarantor or commercial bondsman — has 180 days to locate the defendant and return them to court.
Specialty Courts — The DA’s Office participates in the 14th JDC Adult Specialty Court Program in partnership with the district’s judges. This includes Drug Court, DWI Court, Behavioral Health Court, Re-Entry Court, and Veterans Treatment Court. The program targets non-violent offenders and combines court supervision, random drug screens, and rehabilitation therapy.
Combined Anti-Drug Team (CAT) — The CAT Division is a multi-agency task force formed in 2004 combining local, state, and federal law enforcement. The division operates three units: criminal patrol of the I-10 corridor, street-level narcotics interdiction, and long-term investigations targeting drug conspiracy enterprises and organized gang activity. All CAT cases are prosecuted by a dedicated full-time Assistant District Attorney.
The Internal Divisions of the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.
| division | name | website |
|---|---|---|
| District Attorney | Stephen C. Dwight | https://www.calcasieuda.com |
| 1st Assistant District Attorney | Jacob Johnson | https://www.calcasieuda.com/our-office/ |
| Chief of Litigation | Charles Robinson | https://www.calcasieuda.com/our-office/ |
| Division F | David Pipes | https://www.calcasieuda.com/our-office/ |
| Deputy Chief of Litigation | Judge Canaday | https://www.calcasieuda.com/our-office/ |
| Deputy Chief of Litigation | Taylor Alexander | https://www.calcasieuda.com/our-office/ |
| CAT Team | Brett Gaspard | https://www.calcasieuda.com/case-status-request/c-a-t-narcotics-task-force/ |
FROM JACOB COLONNA- ATTORNEY AT LAW
I have dealt with the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office on hundreds of cases over 17 years — DWIs, drug charges, violent crimes, domestic violence, and everything in between. Every prosecutor in that office has a playbook. I know how they evaluate cases, what they prioritize, and where they have flexibility. The earlier you have an attorney in your corner, the more options you have before the DA’s office makes decisions that are harder to reverse. Hiring an attorney before the DA files formal charges is almost always your best move.
Online Resources from the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office website offers several useful resources for litigants and attorneys:
Case Status Request
Victim Services
calcasieuda.com/programs-services/victim-services/
Traffic Citations
calcasieuda.com/traffic/
What to Expect When You Visit the DA’s Office
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office is located at 901 Lakeshore Drive and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you are a crime victim or have a question about a pending case, the office has staff available to assist you during business hours.
Parking is available at the Lake Charles Civic Center or the Police Jury lot on the corner of Gill Street and Pithon Street.
If you have been contacted by the DA’s office regarding a pending criminal matter, do not go to their office without first speaking to a defense attorney. Anything you say to prosecutors or their staff can be used against you. Call Colonna Law Firm at (337) 656-3212 for a free 30-minute consultation before making any contact.
If you haven’t already spoken to an attorney, you’re already behind. Contact Colonna Law Firm now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office do?
The DA’s office prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the State of Louisiana in Calcasieu Parish. When someone is arrested, law enforcement forwards the case to the DA’s office, which decides whether to file formal charges, what charges to file, and how to pursue the case through the courts.
Where is the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office located?
The DA’s office is located at 901 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601 — directly across from the 14th Judicial District Court.
How do you get to the DAs office from Texas?
The 14th JDC is located right off Interstate 10 after crossing the Calcasieu Bridge. You will immediately exit after the bridge on Exit 29 from I-10E and continue on the I-10 Service Road/N Lakeshore Drive, which becomes Bord du Lac Drive. Then turn right on LA-385/N Lakeshore Dr. The office will be on your left and the Lake Charles Event Center will be on your right. Park at the Event Center and cross Lakeshore Drive at Pujo Street to walk to the office.
Where do I park at the DAs office?
Free parking is available at the Lake Charles Event Center across Lakeshore Drive from the office.
Can I talk to the DA’s office about my case without an attorney?
You can, but you should not. Anything you say to a prosecutor can be used against you. The DA’s office represents the State, not you. If you have a pending criminal case in Calcasieu Parish, contact a defense attorney before speaking with anyone from the DA’s office.
How does the DA decide whether to file charges?
The DA’s office reviews the arrest report, evidence, and police investigation. They have discretion to file charges, reduce charges, or decline prosecution entirely. Early intervention by a defense attorney — before charges are formally filed — can sometimes influence that decision.
What types of cases do the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office prosecute?
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office has jurisdiction over all state-level crimes committed in Calcasieu parish. This wide array of cases consists of small misdemeanor crimes all the way up to high profile felony cases. The District Attorney also handles certain civil matters like civil asset forfeiture.
Does Calcasieu Parish have a Drug Court?
Yes, Calcasieu Parish has a specialty drug treatment court for both adults and juveniles. This specialty court targets non-violent offenders and combines court supervision, random drug screens, and rehabilitation therapy. This specialty court covers both Drug Court and DWI Court. The Judges presiding are Judge David Ritchie (Division E) and Judge Michael Canaday (Division G).
How do I check the status of a criminal case in Calcasieu Parish?
You can submit a case status request directly through the DA’s website at calcasieuda.com/case-status-request/.
What is the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force (CAT)?
The CAT is a multi-agency drug task force formed in 2004 that operates within the DA’s office. It targets drug activity along the I-10 corridor, street-level narcotics, and long-term drug conspiracy investigations.
Does the District Attorney’s Office Oversee Probation?
Yes, but only for misdemeanor cases. If a defendant is given probation for a misdemeanor, then the Calcasieu Parish DA’s office oversees the probation and the defendant reports to the DA’s Probation Department. If a defendant is given probation for a felony, then the Louisiana Office of Probation and Parole oversees the probation.
Our Lake Charles Office
Located at 900 Ryan Street, Suite 402, in downtown Lake Charles.
Legal Disclaimer
This material is provided for information-gathering purposes only. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute legal advice. Colonna Law Firm, LLC does not represent you unless and until the firm agrees to represent you and a written fee agreement has been signed. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific facts of each case. Do not rely on this form as a substitute for legal counsel.