Louisiana District Courts
Louisiana has 42 judicial districts, each with its own district court. Each of the districts serves at least one parish and has at least one district judge. Each district elects a chief judge.
The Louisiana state legislature has the authority to change the types of cases heard in the district courts, and the number of districts, by a two-thirds majority vote. As of 2007, the legislature may establish new judgeships for district courts as well.
Louisiana district court judges are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms. On recommendation of the state's judiciary commission, the Louisiana Supreme Court may discipline or remove district judges from office.
Jurisdiction of the district courts
The district courts have original jurisdiction of all civil and criminal matters. They are the exclusive original jurisdiction of felony cases and of most cases involving property.
The types of cases the district courts do not oversee are:
- Legal cases concerning the right to run for office or other public position;
- Cases concerning civil or political rights;
- Most issues of probate and succession.
- Although the district courts normally have jurisdiction over cases involving property, when those cases relate to disputes over community property, as in the settlement of claims arising from divorce or annulment of a marriage, then those cases are heard in family court.[1]
Criminal cases against those younger than age seventeen are referred to juvenile courts. However the legislature may provide laws for exceptions to this rule for serious cases such as murder, rape, kidnapping, drug dealing, and armed robbery.
