Lake Charles City Court cases in Calcasieu County, Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles City Court in Lake Charles, Louisiana is a municipal (city) court of limited jurisdiction. It serves as a first-instance trial court for matters arising within the city, adjudicating misdemeanor criminal offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic cases. On the civil side, it hears small claims, landlord‑tenant/eviction proceedings, and other limited civil disputes within statutory monetary thresholds. The court also performs magistrate functions such as issuing warrants, setting bail, and handling initial appearances in criminal matters. It does not conduct felony trials or most family law proceedings, which fall under the jurisdiction of the state district court (the 14th Judicial District Court for Calcasieu Parish).
Lake Charles City Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | City Court |
| County: | Calcasieu |
| Street Address: | 118 W. Mill St. |
| City: | Lake Charles |
| Zip Code: | 70601 |
| Phone: | 337-491-1564 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.lccitycourt.org/ |
| Languages: | English |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/lakecharlescitycourt/ |
| About / Additional Info: | Lake Charles City Court was established by the State of Louisiana. It is called a City Court, but it has jurisdiction over all of Ward 3, Calcasieu Parish. It has authority to decide certain Juvenile, Traffic, and criminal matters as well as civil disputes up to $50,000 in amount. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Lake Charles City Court
Lake Charles City Court serves the public by:
- Criminal/traffic: Handling misdemeanors, city‑ordinance violations, and traffic citations; conducting arraignments, pretrial conferences, bench trials, and sentencing; issuing warrants; processing fines and payments.
- Civil: Hearing small claims and general civil disputes within the city court's monetary limit, including contract disputes and landlord‑tenant cases (e.g., evictions, security‑deposit claims).
- Case filings: Accepting new civil suits, answers, motions, and requests for records; providing standard forms and filing/payment options (where available).
- Court hearings: Noticing and scheduling matters, managing dockets, and issuing orders and judgments.
- Compliance: Offering payment plans, probation reviews, and failure‑to‑appear resolution.
Notes:
- Jury services are not provided; cases are tried to a judge.
- Domestic‑violence protective orders are generally handled by the district court; City Court may issue stay‑away or no‑contact orders in cases before it.