On this page
- Does Metairie have its own city court or police department?
- What happens in First Parish Court on David Drive?
- When does a Metairie case move across the river to Gretna?
- Is there a way to avoid a conviction on a first offense in Metairie?
- I got a summons in Metairie instead of being arrested. Now what?
- What should my family do after a Sheriff's Office arrest in Metairie?
- Which charges bring Metairie residents to our office?
- How close is our office to Metairie?
Does Metairie have its own city court or police department?
No. Metairie is an unincorporated part of Jefferson Parish, so it has no mayor, no city police department and no mayor's court. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement, and cases go directly to parish courts.
That is a real difference from nearby Kenner or Harahan, where a ticket might be heard in a city court first. In Metairie, even a minor charge is a state case in a parish court, and the record that follows is a state record.
What happens in First Parish Court on David Drive?
First Parish Court, at 924 David Dr. in Metairie, hears East Bank misdemeanors, including most first and second offense DWIs, along with traffic cases. If your Metairie charge is not a felony, this is likely your court.
A few rules shape how these cases run:
- Judge, not jury, in most cases. You get a jury on a misdemeanor only if it carries more than 6 months in jail or a fine over $2,500. Otherwise a judge decides.
- A time limit. Once a misdemeanor is filed, the state generally must start trial within 1 year.
- A second chance option. Under Article 894, a judge can defer sentence on many misdemeanors. Finishing probation can lead to the conviction being set aside and dismissed.
When does a Metairie case move across the river to Gretna?
A Metairie case goes to Gretna when it is a felony. Every felony in Jefferson Parish is heard at the 24th Judicial District Court, 200 Derbigny St., in the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse, and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney prosecutes it from the same address.
In Louisiana, any crime that can be punished with hard labor is a felony. That includes a third offense DWI, most drug distribution charges and theft of $1,000 or more. Our Kenner office is about 25 to 30 minutes (roughly 16 miles) from the Gretna courthouse.
Is there a way to avoid a conviction on a first offense in Metairie?
Sometimes, yes. Louisiana has two "second chance" tools that can keep a first offense from following you for life. Whether you qualify depends on the charge and your record.
- Article 894 covers misdemeanors. The judge defers or suspends the sentence, you complete up to 2 years of probation, and the conviction is set aside and dismissed.
- Article 893 covers many first-offense felonies. After probation, the conviction is set aside and the case dismissed, with the same effect as an acquittal. It is not available for crimes of violence or drug offenses punishable by more than 10 years.
A set-aside also opens the door to expungement. Our guide to Article 893 and 894 set-asides explains more.
I got a summons in Metairie instead of being arrested. Now what?
A summons is a written order to show up in court, and you should treat it as seriously as an arrest. Possession of 14 grams of marijuana or less, for example, is handled by summons and carries a fine of up to $100 with no jail. Many traffic and misdemeanor charges also start this way.
Write down the court date, which will usually be First Parish Court, and call a lawyer well before it. Skipping the date can lead to a bench warrant and, on traffic matters, a license suspension.
What should my family do after a Sheriff's Office arrest in Metairie?
Call a defense lawyer first, then focus on the bond hearing. People held on Jefferson Parish charges go to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center at 100 Dolhonde St. in Gretna.
An arrested person must see a judge within 72 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays, and bail is set or reviewed then. Gather what a judge will want to know: where the person lives and works, family ties and any health needs. Call (504) 905-8399 any time, day or night, and we can start preparing. See bail and bond hearings.
Which charges bring Metairie residents to our office?
We handle every kind of criminal charge, but these are the ones Metairie clients call about most:
- DWI. A first offense carries $300 to $1,000 in fines and 10 days to 6 months in jail. See our Metairie DWI lawyer page.
- Drug possession. See our Metairie drug lawyer page.
- Traffic tickets in First Parish Court. See our Metairie traffic ticket lawyer page.
- Shoplifting. Louisiana charges it as theft. Under $1,000 is a misdemeanor with up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine. See theft defense.
- Domestic violence and expungement of older records
How close is our office to Metairie?
Our office at 4224 Florida Ave. in Kenner is about 10 to 12 minutes (roughly 5 miles) from Metairie. Clients from Old Metairie, Bucktown, Fat City, Bonnabel Place and the rest of Metairie can meet us in person or by phone or video.
Barry is a former Orleans Parish prosecutor who has also worked as a public defender and as staff attorney to a criminal court judge. He was named one of Expertise.com's Best DUI Lawyers in Kenner in 2022 and 2023. Your first consultation is free and confidential. Call (504) 905-8399, or see our Jefferson Parish page.