On this page
- Who polices Harvey, and where do adult cases go?
- My child was arrested in Harvey. What happens now?
- Is a 17-year-old from Harvey charged as an adult?
- What if my teenager is stopped for drinking and driving in Harvey?
- What happens after a Sheriff's Office arrest on the West Bank?
- Which charges do Harvey families call us about?
- Where is our office from Harvey?
Who polices Harvey, and where do adult cases go?
Harvey is unincorporated, so the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and there is no mayor's court. Adult cases go straight to parish courts in neighboring Gretna.
- Second Parish Court, 100 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna: misdemeanors, including most first and second offense DWIs, and traffic.
- 24th Judicial District Court, 200 Derbigny St., Gretna: all felonies, prosecuted by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney.
Because both courts are so close, Harvey cases can move quickly. Getting a lawyer involved early gives you the most room to respond.
Keep every piece of paper you were given at the arrest or release, even if it looks unimportant. Bond papers, property receipts and court notices tell us which court has your case, the exact charge and your next date.
My child was arrested in Harvey. What happens now?
If your child is under 17, the case will usually be handled in Jefferson Parish juvenile court, which is located in Harvey. Public directories list the Juvenile Justice Complex at 1546 Gretna Blvd. Check the notice you receive for the exact courtroom and time.
Juvenile court is not adult court with smaller penalties. It has its own rules and focuses on what is called delinquency. Still, a juvenile case can lead to time in custody and records that matter later. The state can also seek to move some older juveniles charged with certain serious felonies to adult court.
Barry has seen juvenile court from the prosecution side. As an Orleans Parish Assistant District Attorney, he served as first and second chair trial prosecutor on felony cases in juvenile court. See our juvenile defense page, and call (504) 905-8399 before your child answers questions.
Is a 17-year-old from Harvey charged as an adult?
Yes. Since April 2024, all 17-year-olds in Louisiana are prosecuted as adults for every offense, including misdemeanors. A 17-year-old arrested in Harvey goes to Second Parish Court or the 24th JDC, not juvenile court.
That means an adult record, adult bail rules and adult jail. Many parents still assume 17 counts as a juvenile, because the law changed only recently. A March 2025 ballot measure that would have widened adult prosecution of 15- and 16-year-olds failed, so for now the line sits at 17.
What if my teenager is stopped for drinking and driving in Harvey?
Drivers under 21 face a much lower limit. Louisiana makes it a crime called underage operating while impaired to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.02% or more. A driver under 21 at 0.08% or higher is charged under the adult DWI law instead.
- A first underage conviction carries a $100 to $250 fine and 10 days to 3 months in jail, which can be suspended with probation, community service and classes.
- The license side is separate: a test at 0.02% or more means a 180-day suspension.
- You have 30 days from the arrest to request an OMV hearing.
A teen's license and record are worth protecting. Read more on our DWI defense page.
What happens after a Sheriff's Office arrest on the West Bank?
Adults arrested in Harvey are booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center at 100 Dolhonde St. in Gretna. From there, the law sets two early checkpoints:
- If the arrest was made without a warrant, a judge should review probable cause within 48 hours.
- The person must appear before a judge within 72 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays, where bail is set or reviewed.
If you think a warrant has been issued, do not wait to be picked up. See our arrest warrant and bond hearing pages.
Which charges do Harvey families call us about?
We defend all criminal charges, but Harvey clients often reach out about:
- Drug charges, from simple possession to possession with intent
- Domestic abuse battery, which cannot be expunged under Louisiana's usual rules
- Gun charges, including felon in possession, which carries 5 to 20 years at hard labor
- DWI and theft
For DWI and drug cases close by, see our Gretna DWI and Gretna drug pages, which cover the same West Bank courts. Whatever the charge, Barry starts by asking what the state can actually prove and whether the stop, search or questioning followed the law.
Where is our office from Harvey?
Our office at 4224 Florida Ave. in Kenner is about 25 minutes (roughly 15 miles) from Harvey. We work with families from Woodmere, Estelle, Gretna, Marrero and across the West Bank.
Barry's team includes Senior Partner John J. Mason and Associate Attorney Patricio Ramos, a former prosecutor. We meet in person or by phone or video, and the first consultation is free and confidential.
When a child or spouse has just been arrested, it is hard to think straight. Call (504) 905-8399 at any hour and we will explain what happens next. See our Jefferson Parish page for more about the parish courts.