Lake Charles Legal System Guide — Courts, Offices, and Legal Resources for Calcasieu Parish
The Lake Charles legal system involves multiple courts, government offices, and institutions with a distinct role in how criminal, family, and civil matters are handled in Calcasieu Parish. This guide was written by Jacob Colonna, a criminal defense and family law attorney who has practiced consistently at the 14th Judicial District Court since 2009 in criminal matters, family law matters, and personal injury matters.
This resource is designed to give you accurate and specific local information about the courts and offices that handle legal matters in Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish. These bodies include the 14th Judicial District Court, Lake Charles City Court, the Calcasieu Clerk of Court, the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney, and Probation and Parole for the State of Louisiana.
What Courts and Legal Offices Serve Calcasieu Parish?
Calcasieu Parish is served by several distinct courts and legal institutions. The 14th Judicial District Court is the primary trial court for all felony criminal matters, family law cases, and civil litigation. The Lake Charles City Court handles misdemeanor offenses and minor civil matters within the limits of Ward 3 of Calcasieu Parish (consisting mostly of the city limits of Lake Charles). The United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana handles federal criminal and civil cases. The Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal reviews appeals from the 14th JDC and city courts. Supporting these courts are the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court, and Probation and Parole for the State of Louisiana.
Lake Charles Legal System — Institution Directory
- 14th Judicial District Court — The primary trial court for Calcasieu Parish. This court handles all felony criminal cases, many misdemeanor criminal cases, all family law matters, and civil litigation including personal injury and trucking accident cases. The court is located at 1001 Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601.
- Calcasieu Parish District Attorney — Stephen Dwight is the District Attorney of Calcasieu Parish, which means he is the chief prosecutor for Calcasieu Parish, and often represents the parish in litigation. This office prosecutes criminal cases in the 14th Judicial District Court. The District Attorney oversees felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, Drug Court, DWI Court, The Special Victims Unit, and the C.A.T. Task Force.
- Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office — The primary law enforcement agency for Calcasieu Parish. Operates the Calcasieu Correctional Center, where most arrested persons are held pending bond, and the the Sheriff Wayne McElveen Prison, where many detainees facing parole detainers are held, along with persons serving Louisiana DOC sentences.
- Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court — This office maintains all court records, handles filings, land records, and expungement paperwork for 14th JDC matters.
- Lake Charles City Court — Handles misdemeanor criminal matters and minor civil cases within the city limits of Lake Charles. The city court is actually the Ward 3 court, which has a slightly larger jurisdiction than just the city limits of Lake Charles. This court handles most of the residential evictions within the city of Lake Charles.
- Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal — This appellate court sits in a supervisory role over the 14th JDC and city courts in Calcasieu Parish and other parishes, including Lafayette, Beauregard, Jeff Davis, and Cameron parishes. This court acts as the intermediate appellate court for cases appealed from courts across southwest Louisiana. The court is located at 1000 Main St, Lake Charles, LA 70615.
- Calcasieu Parish Probation & Parole — Supervises persons on felony probation and parole in Southwest Louisiana. Its office in Lake Charles is located at 991 Gerstner Memorial Blvd, Lake Charles, LA.
- United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana — The federal trial court serving Lake Charles. This court handles all federal matters in the Lake Charles division of the Western District of Louisiana. The court is located at 611 Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Jacob Colonna is admitted to practice in this court.
How Does Jacob Colonna Use This Guide?
Jacob Colonna practices at the 14th Judicial District Court, the Lake Charles City Court, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. He has handled cases before every judge in every division of the 14th JDC, including criminal defense, family law, and personal injury matters. His office at 900 Ryan St., Suite 402 is a short walk from the courthouse. This guide reflects his firsthand knowledge of how each institution operates and how they interact with one another in Calcasieu Parish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What court handles felony cases in Lake Charles?
Felony criminal cases in Lake Charles are only heard at the14th Judicial District Court, located at 1001 Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601. The 14th JDC is the district court for Calcasieu Parish and has jurisdiction over all felony charges, family law matters, and civil litigation in the parish.
Who is the District Attorney in Calcasieu Parish?
The District Attorney for Calcasieu Parish is Stephen C. Dwight. His office prosecutes all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in the 14th Judicial District Court and oversees specialty courts including Drug Court, DWI Court, and Veterans Court.
Where is the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court?
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court is located at the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, 1000 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601. The Clerk of Court handles all court filings, public records requests, land records, and expungement paperwork for matters in the 14th Judicial District Court.
Contact an attorney with 17 years of Experience in the Lake Charles Local Legal Community.
If you or a family member has a legal matter in Lake Charles or Calcasieu Parish, contact Jacob Colonna at Colonna Law Firm LLC. Jacob has practiced at the 14th Judicial District Court since 2009 and handles criminal defense, family law, and personal injury matters across Southwest Louisiana. Call (337) 656-3212 today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.