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Will my Slidell case stay in Slidell or go to Covington?
It depends on whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors, traffic offenses and most DWI arrests from Slidell are heard at the City Court of East St. Tammany, 501 Bouscaren Street. This court was once called Slidell City Court, and it now serves Wards 8 and 9 of the parish.
Felonies are different. A felony charge from Slidell is prosecuted by the 22nd Judicial District Attorney's Office and heard at the 22nd Judicial District Court, 701 N. Columbia Street in Covington. That is the same courthouse that handles felonies from Mandeville, Covington and the rest of St. Tammany and Washington parishes.
Charges can also move. A case that starts as a misdemeanor can be upgraded, and a felony can be reduced. Knowing early which court has your case, and why, is one of the first things we sort out for you.
What the City Court of East St. Tammany handles
The City Court of East St. Tammany hears traffic cases, misdemeanors and juvenile matters, along with civil cases up to $50,000. For most people arrested by the Slidell Police Department, this is the courtroom they will see first. People stopped outside city limits by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office may also end up here if the arrest happened in Ward 8 or 9.
- Misdemeanor DWI. A first or second offense DWI is a misdemeanor under Louisiana law, so it usually lands here. See our Slidell DWI lawyer page for more.
- Simple drug possession. Small marijuana and other misdemeanor drug cases. Our Slidell drug lawyer page covers these in detail.
- Traffic tickets. Speeding, careless operation and driving under suspension. Learn more about traffic ticket defense.
- Juvenile cases. Charges against children under 17. See juvenile defense.
A misdemeanor is not "just a ticket." A conviction can follow you on background checks, so treat your court date seriously.
Where are people from Slidell booked after an arrest?
Adults arrested in St. Tammany Parish are typically held at the St. Tammany Parish Jail, 1200 Champagne Street in Covington. That means a Slidell arrest can put you or your family member in a jail on the other side of the parish.
Louisiana law requires that an arrested person be brought before a judge within 72 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays, to be advised of rights and to have bail set or reviewed. If you are calling for a loved one, write down the booking time and the charges listed. Then call us at (504) 905-8399, day or night. We can talk to you about bail and bond hearings and what to expect next.
A Slidell DWI has two cases, not one
After a DWI arrest in Slidell you face a criminal case in court and a separate license case with the Office of Motor Vehicles. You have only 30 days from the date of arrest to request an administrative hearing. Miss it, and the suspension starts automatically.
The criminal side matters too. A first offense DWI carries a fine of $300 to $1,000 and 10 days to 6 months in jail, though much of that jail time can be suspended with probation. A third offense is a felony, which moves the case out of Slidell and into the 22nd JDC in Covington.
Under a 2026 change to Louisiana law, DWI first and second offense cases are tried by a judge, not a jury. That makes the work done before trial, like challenging the stop and the breath test, even more important.
Charges we defend for Slidell residents
We defend people from Slidell against felony and misdemeanor charges of every kind. Some of the cases we help with most include:
- DWI and DUI, including refusals and high BAC cases
- Drug possession and distribution
- Domestic abuse battery and protective order issues
- Theft and shoplifting
- Gun and weapons charges
- Outstanding warrants and missed court dates
Already have an old Slidell arrest on your record? Ask us about expungement.
Hiring a Kenner lawyer for a Slidell case
Our office is in Kenner, about 40 to 45 minutes (roughly 40 miles) from Slidell. Barry regularly handles cases across St. Tammany Parish, and his bio lists St. Tammany among the parishes where he practices.
You do not have to drive to Kenner to get started. We offer remote consultations by phone or video, and many case updates can happen without an office visit. When your case needs a lawyer in the courtroom, Barry is there. As a former prosecutor, he knows how the state builds a case, and he uses that knowledge to look for weak spots in yours.
Call (504) 905-8399 any time, day or night. The first consultation is free and confidential.
Nearby communities we serve
Beyond Slidell itself, we help clients from Olde Towne Slidell, Eden Isles, Pearl River and Lacombe. Wherever you live in St. Tammany, the same two-court system applies: misdemeanors in the local court for your area, felonies in Covington.
For a parish-wide look at courts, jail and the DA's office, visit our St. Tammany Parish criminal defense page.