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Metairie tickets go to First Parish Court
First Parish Court of Jefferson Parish, at 924 David Drive, handles traffic cases, misdemeanors and small civil matters for the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. Metairie is unincorporated and has no mayor's court, so tickets written there by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies or state troopers generally land in First Parish Court.
Your ticket lists the court and the date. If anything on it is unclear, call (504) 905-8399 and we will help you confirm it. Our Kenner office is about 10 to 12 minutes (roughly 5 miles) away.
Commercial drivers: protect your CDL first
If you hold a commercial driver's license, an ordinary ticket can threaten your job. Federal rules list serious traffic violations, including speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the limit, reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely and texting or using a handheld phone in a commercial vehicle.
- 2 serious violations within 3 years: 60-day disqualification.
- 3 serious violations within 3 years: 120-day disqualification.
Violations in your personal car count if they lead to a suspension or revocation. Federal rules also prevent states from masking a CDL holder's conviction through diversion. A plan that works for other drivers may not work for you, so talk to a lawyer before you resolve the ticket.
What a ticket can do to your record and insurance
Louisiana does not use a point system. Instead, traffic convictions are reported to the Office of Motor Vehicles and appear on your driving record, where insurers see them. A few convictions can follow you for years in the form of higher premiums.
Penalties themselves are usually modest. When a traffic law sets no specific penalty, a first violation can bring up to $175 and/or 30 days, and later ones up to $500 and/or 90 days. Read should I pay my traffic ticket in Louisiana? for more.
Careless vs. reckless operation
Careless operation means failing to drive in a careful and prudent manner. It is a traffic violation under Title 32. Reckless operation is a crime under Title 14, carrying up to $200 and/or up to 90 days for a first conviction and $25 to $500 and/or 10 days to 6 months for a second.
The label matters. A reckless operation conviction creates a criminal record and counts as a serious violation for CDL holders. If you were charged with reckless operation, treat it like the criminal charge it is. See our traffic ticket defense page.
Don't let a ticket turn into a suspension
The fastest way to make a ticket worse is to miss court. When you fail to appear, the court notifies the state, and you can receive notice that your license may be suspended. Clearing it costs a $100 OMV fee once the case is resolved, and a bench warrant is possible. If you then drive while suspended, a first offense carries up to $500 and/or 6 months and adds a year to the suspension.
One missed date can snowball into a suspension, a warrant and a new criminal charge. If you already missed court, call before your next traffic stop.
Before your First Parish Court date
- Read the ticket. Note the court, the date, the statute and whether it says you must appear.
- Pull your driving record. Prior convictions and any pending suspension change the advice.
- CDL holders: gather your license class and any recent violations, including from other states.
- Keep proof. Insurance cards, registration and photos of the scene can all help.
- Do not miss the date. If you cannot make it, talk to a lawyer before the date passes, not after.
Bring all of it to your consultation, whether in person in Kenner or by phone or video. Having the full picture lets Barry give you a clear answer about what the ticket could cost you and what can be done about it.
How Barry helps with a Metairie ticket
Barry reviews the ticket, your driving record and, for commercial drivers, your CDL exposure. He explains what each possible result means for your record before you decide anything. As a former prosecutor, he knows how to talk with the other side about a fair resolution, and he is ready to contest the ticket when that makes more sense.
Call (504) 905-8399 for a free, confidential consultation. Barry is available 24/7. For other charges, see our Metairie criminal defense and Jefferson Parish pages.