On this page
- Why is my case in Edgard and not LaPlace?
- Where are people held after an arrest in St. John Parish?
- Step by step after an arrest in LaPlace, Reserve or Garyville
- How we help with St. John the Baptist Parish cases
- What should a family do first?
- Traffic, license and DWI cases on the River Road
- Charges we can help with in St. John Parish
Why is my case in Edgard and not LaPlace?
Your case is in Edgard because the 40th Judicial District Court's east bank courthouse in LaPlace, at 1020 Cambridge Drive, is listed by the court as closed due to Hurricane Ida damage. The court says all jury and bench trials, all traffic and misdemeanor matters and monthly felony motions are heard at the courthouse at 2393 Highway 18, Edgard, LA 70049.
For many people this is the most confusing part of a St. John Parish case. If you live in LaPlace, Reserve or Garyville on the east bank, your court date now means a trip across the Mississippi River to the west bank. Older tickets and websites may still point you to LaPlace, so always go by the most recent notice and the court's own announcements.
Cases are prosecuted by the 40th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Its prosecutors decide what charges to file, whether to offer a plea and whether a case can be resolved without a conviction. Getting your side of the story in front of a defense lawyer before those decisions are made can make a real difference.
Where are people held after an arrest in St. John Parish?
The parish jail is the Lt. Sherman Walker Correctional Facility, also called the St. John Parish Correctional Center, at 100 Deputy Barton Granier Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068. It is run by the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, which is also the main police agency for unincorporated communities like LaPlace.
So the jail is on the east bank in LaPlace, while most court proceedings take place on the west bank in Edgard. Families should keep both locations in mind when planning visits, bond payments and court dates.
Step by step after an arrest in LaPlace, Reserve or Garyville
The basic path after a St. John Parish arrest follows Louisiana law, the same as in any parish:
- Booking at the Lt. Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace.
- First appearance before a judge within 72 hours of arrest, not counting weekends and legal holidays. The judge explains rights, appoints a lawyer if the person qualifies and sets or reviews bail.
- Bail. Most people charged with a crime are entitled to bail before trial, with some exceptions for very serious offenses. The judge considers the charge, prior record, flight risk and danger to the community.
- Charging decision. The 40th JDC District Attorney reviews the arrest. If the person stays in jail, a felony charge generally must be filed within 60 days and a misdemeanor within 30.
- Court in Edgard. Arraignment, motions and any trial take place at the courthouse on Highway 18.
Our guide to what to do after an arrest in Louisiana explains what to say, and what not to say, along the way.
How we help with St. John the Baptist Parish cases
St. John the Baptist Parish is not one of the eight parishes Barry lists as his core practice area, but we also help clients with cases in St. John Parish. It borders St. Charles Parish, where Barry regularly handles cases, and the Edgard courthouse is about 40 to 45 minutes (roughly 33 miles) from our Kenner office.
When you call, we will talk through your charge, your court date and what you need. If we are the right fit, we will tell you how we can help. If another lawyer would serve you better, we will say so. Either way, the first consultation is free, confidential and comes with no obligation.
Call (504) 905-8399. We answer 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays.
What should a family do first?
Start by finding out the charge and whether a bond has been set, then get a lawyer on the phone. Some practical tips:
- Have your loved one's full name and date of birth ready when you call the jail or a lawyer.
- Write down every date and place on the paperwork, especially if it still says LaPlace.
- For a DWI arrest, note the date. There are only 30 days to request an OMV hearing about the license.
- Avoid discussing the case on jail phones, by text or on social media.
See our page on bail and bond hearings for more about getting someone released, or call (504) 905-8399 and talk it through with us for free.
Traffic, license and DWI cases on the River Road
Traffic and misdemeanor matters in St. John Parish are heard in Edgard, so even a ticket can mean a trip across the river. Do not ignore it. Missing a traffic court date can lead to a bench warrant, and the court can notify the state, putting your license at risk and adding a $100 fee to clear it.
Some driving charges are more serious than they look:
- Reckless operation is a crime, not just a ticket. A first offense carries up to $200 and up to 90 days in jail.
- Driving under suspension carries up to $500 and up to 6 months on a first offense, and a conviction extends your existing suspension by 1 year.
- DWI starts a separate license case. A first failed test (0.08% to 0.149%) brings a 180-day administrative suspension, and a first refusal brings 1 year, unless you win at the OMV hearing.
Before you pay or plead, read should I pay my traffic ticket in Louisiana and our guide to the DWI license suspension and OMV hearing.
Charges we can help with in St. John Parish
Barry S. Ranshi focuses only on criminal defense. Charges we can help with in St. John the Baptist Parish include:
- DWI and DUI
- Drug charges
- Traffic tickets and warrants for missed court dates
- Domestic violence and battery
- Theft
- Expungement of older records
For more on the east bank, visit our LaPlace criminal defense lawyer page. St. John the Baptist Parish is part of the Eastern District of Louisiana for federal cases, where Barry is admitted to practice.