Jefferson Parish Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in Jefferson Parish are issued by the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna when defendants fail to appear for scheduled court proceedings or violate conditions imposed by the court. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Louisiana and handles a significant volume of bench warrants at any given time. Jefferson Parish borders Orleans Parish and covers a large suburban area around New Orleans, including the Westbank and Eastbank communities. Anyone who believes they may have an active bench warrant should check their status through official channels to avoid being arrested during a routine traffic stop or other law enforcement contact.
Jefferson Parish Quick Facts
Jefferson Parish Bench Warrant Search Options
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office provides several ways to check for bench warrants. The main office is at 1233 Westbank Expressway in Harvey. The Central Records Section is in Building A of the Westbank Administration Complex at 1223 Westbank Expressway. You can email Central Records at centralrecords@jpso.com or call (504) 363-5590. The Records Division phone number is (504) 363-5637. The Warrant Division handles active warrants and can be reached at (504) 363-5500.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office website provides information about records requests and bench warrant search options available to the public.
The JPSO website serves as the main hub for warrant inquiries, records requests, and other law enforcement services in Jefferson Parish.
The JPSO runs an inmate lookup system on their website. This shows currently incarcerated individuals and can indicate if someone was brought in on a bench warrant. The JPSO Records and Reports page explains how to request criminal history reports and other records. You need a copy of your official picture ID and must be 18 years or older. Background check reports cost $26 for standard reports.
The JPSO Records and Reports page details the process for requesting criminal records and bench warrant information from Jefferson Parish.
This page outlines the steps, costs, and requirements for obtaining criminal history information from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court and Bench Warrants
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, Jon A. Gegenheimer, maintains all court records for the 24th JDC. The main office is at the Thomas F. Donelon Building, 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5600 in Gretna. Phone is (504) 364-2900. Fax is (504) 364-6355. Email goes to support@jpclerkofcourt.us. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court website offers access to court records and information about bench warrants filed through the 24th Judicial District Court.
The clerk's website provides online services including the JeffNet court records system for searching case information.
The clerk's office operates the JeffNet Online Court Records System. This tool provides access to court calendars and case information. The 24th Judicial District Court page on the clerk's site has information about court divisions and filings. Note that as of January 1, 2026, the legislature has stopped accepting fax and mail-in filings for all state district courts. Attorneys must now file electronically, in person, or through a court courier. This affects how bench warrant motions and recalls are submitted.
The 24th Judicial District Court page shows the court structure and filing information relevant to Jefferson Parish bench warrants.
This court page details the various divisions that handle bench warrant cases in Jefferson Parish.
How Jefferson Parish Bench Warrants Are Issued
The 24th JDC issues bench warrants under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 349.1. When a defendant fails to appear for a hearing, the judge signs a bench warrant directing the JPSO to locate and arrest the person. The 24th JDC handles a large volume of cases across criminal, civil, and traffic divisions. Jefferson Parish also has two parish courts that handle minor cases. All of these courts can issue bench warrants.
Jefferson Parish tracks several types of warrants: arrest warrants, bench warrants for failure to appear, search warrants under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 162, capias warrants, fugitive warrants, and governor's warrants for extradition. Bench warrants are among the most common type. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 205 states that warrants do not expire in Louisiana. An active bench warrant from Jefferson Parish will show up in law enforcement databases across the state. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 203 specifies the information that must be on every warrant, including the subject's name, the offense, the date, and the judge's signature.
Resolving Jefferson Parish Bench Warrants
Many people with Jefferson Parish bench warrants choose to have an attorney handle the process. This is partly because Louisiana law allows immediate arrest if you appear in person and an active warrant exists. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant and set a new court date, sometimes without the defendant needing to appear until the hearing itself. Voluntary resolution is always better than being picked up at a traffic stop.
Standard copy fees at the clerk's office run $0.50 per page for regular copies and $1.00 per page for certified copies under La. R.S. 44:32. In-person inspection of records at the clerk's office is free. The 24th JDC Docket Search is also free for basic case information. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 211.1 allows summons and release in some misdemeanor situations. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 336 covers bail procedures. Bond amounts depend on the charge and the judge's decision. Contact the Warrant Division at (504) 363-5500 for details about specific bench warrants.
La. R.S. 44:1 makes court records public. La. R.S. 44:31 confirms the right to inspect them. La. R.S. 44:3 lists exemptions. The public records request form is available through the Jefferson Parish government website. Submit requests online, by email, by mail, or in person at the Westbank Administration Complex. Processing happens during regular business hours.
Nearby Parishes
Jefferson Parish bench warrants are enforceable statewide. Any law enforcement officer in Louisiana can serve an active Jefferson Parish bench warrant. These parishes share borders with Jefferson: