On this page
- Where will my Belle Chasse case be heard?
- Who prosecutes Plaquemines Parish cases?
- Where is someone taken after an arrest in Plaquemines Parish?
- What if I serve at the naval air station in Belle Chasse?
- Which charges do we defend in Belle Chasse?
- What happens if I miss a court date in Plaquemines Parish?
- How far is our office from Belle Chasse and the courthouse?
Where will my Belle Chasse case be heard?
Your case will be handled by the 25th Judicial District Court, which hears felonies and misdemeanors for all of Plaquemines Parish. Belle Chasse is unincorporated, so there is no city court, and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office handles arrests.
Where the courtroom sits takes a little explaining. The parish seat is Pointe à la Hache. The old courthouse there burned in 2002, and parish operations ran out of Belle Chasse for years. Directories now list a newer courthouse at 18055 Highway 15 in Pointe à la Hache, but we confirm the current location for each hearing.
The simple rule: go where your paperwork tells you, and call us if anything looks unclear.
Who prosecutes Plaquemines Parish cases?
The 25th Judicial District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases in Plaquemines Parish. Its office is in Belle Chasse, at 333 F. Edward Hebert Blvd., Building 201.
The DA must move within set time limits. If you are in jail, a felony generally has to be formally charged within 60 days and a misdemeanor within 30 days. If you are out on bond, those limits are 150 days and 90 days. We watch those dates closely, because a missed deadline can mean release or a discharged bond.
Once charges are filed, arraignment should happen within 30 days. After that, the state generally must start trial within 2 years on a felony and 1 year on a misdemeanor.
Where is someone taken after an arrest in Plaquemines Parish?
People held on Plaquemines Parish charges go to the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center at 110 Prison Rd. in Braithwaite.
An arrested person must see a judge within 72 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays, and bail can be set or reviewed then. Judges consider the seriousness of the charge, criminal history, flight risk and danger to the community. If a family member is being held, call (504) 905-8399 so we can get ready for the bond hearing. See how bail works in Louisiana.
Which charges do we defend in Belle Chasse?
We handle every type of criminal charge in the 25th JDC, including:
- DWI. You have only 30 days from the arrest to request an OMV hearing, and a first failed test at 0.08% to 0.149% means a 180-day suspension.
- Drug charges
- Gun and weapons charges. Eligible adults can carry concealed without a permit since July 4, 2024, but many places remain off-limits.
- Domestic violence
- Traffic tickets and driving under suspension
Whatever the charge, Barry starts with the evidence: how the stop happened, what was searched and what the state can actually prove. He learned to read cases that way as a prosecutor and a judge's staff attorney.
What happens if I miss a court date in Plaquemines Parish?
Missing court can turn a manageable case into a much bigger problem. A judge can issue a bench warrant, and on a traffic ticket the court notifies the state, which can suspend your license until you appear or pay. Clearing that suspension costs a $100 OMV fee once the case is resolved.
A long drive to the courthouse is not a reason to skip a date, and it does not have to be your problem alone. If you already missed one, call (504) 905-8399 now. We can explain how to address the missed date and what to expect next. See our arrest warrant page.
How far is our office from Belle Chasse and the courthouse?
Our office at 4224 Florida Ave. in Kenner is about 30 to 35 minutes (roughly 22 miles) from Belle Chasse. The 25th JDC in Pointe à la Hache is farther, about 70 to 80 minutes (roughly 55 miles) from our office. We make that drive for our clients.
One client, Patti, wrote on Avvo: "He kept My friend out of jail. This attorney goes above and beyond. He drove quite aways to attend court hearing." Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result, but distance will not keep us from your courtroom.
We serve Belle Chasse, Jesuit Bend, Alliance, Braithwaite, Lake Hermitage and the rest of the parish. Your first consultation is free and confidential, in person or by phone or video. We answer 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. See our Plaquemines Parish page for more.