Hammond Criminal Defense Attorney for Tangipahoa Parish Cases

Hammond arrest, Amite courthouse

If you are charged with a felony in Hammond, your case will be heard in Amite, not in Hammond. Amite is the parish seat, and the 21st Judicial District Court sits at 110 North Bay Street. The 21st JDC covers three parishes: Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Helena, and the 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office prosecutes felonies in all three.

Misdemeanors and traffic tickets written by the Hammond Police Department inside city limits are often handled by the city court in Hammond. Arrests outside city limits are usually made by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. Your ticket or bond paperwork will name the court, so keep it somewhere safe.

Where will I be held after an arrest in Hammond?

Adults arrested in Tangipahoa Parish are generally booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail at 101 Campo Lane in Amite. For families in Hammond, that can mean a drive just to find out what is going on.

The law requires a first appearance before a judge within 72 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays, where bail can be set or reviewed. Call us at (504) 905-8399 as soon as you learn of the arrest. We answer 24/7. We can explain the charge, the bail process and what your loved one should and should not say. Learn more about bail and bond hearings.

Drug charges near schools carry extra risk

Drug distribution or possession with intent to distribute within 2,000 feet of a school, school bus, day care, church or certain other places is treated more harshly under Louisiana law. The maximum fine goes up, and the prison term can reach 1.5 times the longest sentence otherwise allowed.

Even simple possession can be a felony. Possessing under 2 grams of a Schedule II drug like cocaine or meth can mean up to 2 years. Fentanyl possession under 2 grams carries 2 to 4 years.

Our Hammond drug lawyer page covers Tangipahoa drug cases in more detail, and our guide on possession vs. possession with intent explains why the charge on paper matters so much.

Young adults and college students in Hammond

Hammond is home to Southeastern Louisiana University, and many of the people who call us are young. If that is you or your child, know this: since April 2024, Louisiana prosecutes every 17-year-old as an adult for any offense, even a misdemeanor.

A conviction can follow you into job interviews, apartment applications and professional licensing. First offenders may have options like an Article 894 or Article 893 set-aside, which can later open the door to expungement.

Drinking and driving rules are stricter for anyone under 21. An underage driver commits a DWI at a blood alcohol level of just 0.02%. A first conviction can mean a $100 to $250 fine and 10 days to 3 months in jail, though jail can be suspended with community service and classes. A license suspension of 180 days can follow from the test alone.

For minors under 17, see our juvenile defense page.

DWI and other charges we defend in Hammond

We defend Hammond residents and people passing through on charges such as:

• DWI in Hammond, including refusals and underage DWI
• Theft and shoplifting
• Battery and domestic abuse battery
• Weapons charges
• Federal charges. Tangipahoa Parish is in the Eastern District of Louisiana, where Barry is admitted to practice.

Is a New Orleans area lawyer practical for a Hammond case?

Yes. Our Kenner office is about 50 to 55 minutes (roughly 50 miles) from Hammond, and about 65 to 75 minutes from the courthouse in Amite. Barry regularly handles cases in Tangipahoa Parish, and Senior Partner John J. Mason practices there too.

One reviewer put it this way: "He kept My friend out of jail. This attorney goes above and beyond. He drove quite aways to attend court hearing."

You can start with a remote consultation by phone or video. Call (504) 905-8399. We answer 24/7, and the first consultation is free and confidential.

Three things to do before your Hammond court date

The most useful things you can do right now are simple, and they protect your options.

1. Find your paperwork. Your ticket, summons or bond papers list the court, the date and the charge. Missing a court date can lead to a warrant and new problems.
2. Stay quiet about the case. Do not discuss what happened with anyone but your lawyer, and do not post about it online.
3. Write it down. While it is fresh, note the time, place, who was there and what officers said. Small details can matter later.

Then call us. Our guide on what to do after an arrest in Louisiana covers more.

Communities around Hammond

We also help clients from Downtown Hammond, Natalbany, Tickfaw and nearby Ponchatoula. If you live in Ponchatoula, our Ponchatoula criminal defense page explains how its Mayor's Court works.

For the full parish picture, see our Tangipahoa Parish criminal defense lawyer page.