On this page
- Gretna drug cases: Second Parish Court or the 24th JDC
- Getting out: bail after a West Bank drug arrest
- How long can they hold you without charging you?
- Distribution and intent charges carry the heaviest penalties
- Is there a way to keep a conviction off your record?
- How Barry defends a Gretna drug case
- What to do right now
Gretna drug cases: Second Parish Court or the 24th JDC
Gretna is the seat of Jefferson Parish, so both West Bank drug courts are here. Misdemeanor drug charges from the West Bank are generally heard in Second Parish Court at 100 Huey P. Long Avenue. Felony drug charges go to the 24th Judicial District Court at 200 Derbigny Street, where the Jefferson Parish District Attorney prosecutes them.
Arrests in the city are made by the Gretna Police Department, while the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office covers nearby unincorporated areas such as Terrytown and Harvey. The Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, at 100 Dolhonde Street, is in Gretna as well.
Getting out: bail after a West Bank drug arrest
A person in jail must be brought before a judge within 72 hours of arrest, not counting weekends and legal holidays. At that appearance, the judge advises the person of their rights and can set or review bail.
Most people charged with a crime are entitled to bail before trial, with some exceptions. Judges weigh the seriousness of the charge, criminal history, flight risk and danger to the community. A lawyer who shows up prepared with ties to work, family and the community can make a real difference. Call (504) 905-8399 as soon as you learn of the arrest. See our bail and bond hearings page.
How long can they hold you without charging you?
Louisiana sets firm deadlines. If you are in jail, the district attorney must file formal charges within 60 days on a felony and 30 days on a misdemeanor. If you are out on bail, the limits are 150 days for a felony and 90 days for a misdemeanor.
If the deadline passes without just cause, a jailed defendant must be released, or a bailed defendant is freed from the bail obligation. Arraignment must follow within 30 days of the formal charge. Barry tracks these dates from the first day.
Distribution and intent charges carry the heaviest penalties
If the State says you intended to sell, the exposure goes up fast:
- Marijuana, under 2.5 pounds: 1 to 10 years and up to $50,000.
- Cocaine or other Schedule II, under 28 grams: 1 to 10 years and up to $50,000.
- Heroin, any amount: 5 to 40 years at hard labor.
- Fentanyl, under 28 grams: 5 to 40 years at hard labor, 5 without benefit.
A drug-free zone near a school, church or similar place can add up to 1.5 times the maximum prison term. Simple possession penalties are lower. See our drug charges defense page for the full picture.
Is there a way to keep a conviction off your record?
For many first offenders, yes. Under Article 893, a judge can defer sentence on an eligible first felony and place you on probation. If you complete probation, the conviction is set aside and the case dismissed, and you can then seek expungement. Article 894 works the same way for misdemeanors.
Article 893 is not available for drug offenses punishable by more than 10 years, so it usually does not apply to heroin or fentanyl distribution charges. Louisiana also allows drug court or drug division probation with treatment, where felony probation can last up to 8 years. Whether any of these fits depends on the charge and your history. Barry can tell you honestly in a free consultation.
How Barry defends a Gretna drug case
Barry served as a trial prosecutor, so he knows how the State builds a drug case and where it breaks. He reviews the reason for the stop or the warrant, the scope of the search, who actually controlled the place where drugs were found, and the lab's identification and weight. In intent cases, he challenges the leap from cash or baggies to a sale. Every weakness he finds becomes leverage in negotiation or a defense at trial.
He also looks at the people involved. Was the information from an informant? Did officers write the report after the fact? Do body camera recordings match the story? These details often decide whether a charge is reduced, dismissed or tried. You will get a straight answer about where your case stands.
What to do right now
- If a loved one is in jail, call us before the first court appearance.
- Do not discuss the case on jail phones, which can be recorded.
- Gather proof of work, family ties and residence for the bail hearing.
- Call (504) 905-8399 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.
Our Kenner office is about 25 to 30 minutes (roughly 16 miles) from the Gretna courthouse. See our Gretna criminal defense and Jefferson Parish pages.