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Last Modified on Mar 12, 2026
Any criminal charge can be frustrating to receive, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony. If you’re convicted, you’ll have a criminal record that can impact your job options, your housing opportunities, your social standing, and your personal relationships. In Lafayette, a misdemeanor charge can go multiple ways. A Lafayette misdemeanor guide can clear things up.
If you are facing misdemeanor charges, you should consider hiring a misdemeanor attorney to help you navigate your case. Dealing with a misdemeanor case on your own can be tough, especially if you don’t know what to expect.
You should hire a misdemeanor lawyer to help you figure out how the Lafayette misdemeanor laws can impact your case. Our firm can point you in the right direction, help you build a strong defense, and even gather evidence to support you.
What to Expect From City Court vs. 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette?
If you are charged with a misdemeanor offense in Lafayette, your case will be decided either by the Lafayette City Court or the 15th Judicial District Court, depending on the nature of your offense. Either way, you need to be prepared with a strong defense and a considerable amount of evidence that supports your claim.
There are currently 30,255 individuals serving time in either a local jail or state prison in Louisiana. Getting a jail sentence for a misdemeanor is common.
The primary difference between a city court misdemeanor charge and a district court misdemeanor charge is the seriousness of the charge at hand. There were 3,526 crimes reported in Lafayette Parish in 2023. Many of those crimes were misdemeanor offenses that carried significant penalties. Here are some of the primary offenses that each court handles:
Lafayette City Court
The City Court of Lafayette handles the majority of misdemeanor offenses in Lafayette Parish. The court has some jurisdiction over most criminal misdemeanors, as well as juvenile cases and civil actions. They do not handle any felony cases. They primarily handle state misdemeanor violations, including:
- Traffic violations: These include DUIs, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and any open container violations. If the case is a third offense DUI, it is handled by the District Court.
- Substance abuse violations: Misdemeanor drug offenses handled by the City Court include possession of marijuana for personal use, possession of drug paraphernalia, and underage drinking.
- Violent crimes: While most violent crimes in Lafayette are classified as felonies, some are misdemeanors that are handled by the City Court, including domestic abuse battery and simple assault.
- Public order crimes: Some misdemeanor public order crimes include petty theft under $1,000, criminal trespass, disturbing the peace, defacing public property, and public intoxication.
These crimes are considered to be less serious in nature. However, this does not mean you should blow them off. Even a small charge on your criminal record could impact your everyday life in the form of housing or employment.
15th Judicial District Court
The 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette handles much more serious crimes, including felony charges, family law situations, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and serious traffic violations. They also handle some more serious misdemeanor situations that the Lafayette City Court may not be prepared to handle, including:
- Drug offenses: Some of the same misdemeanor drug offenses that the City Court handles may instead be handled by the District Court. This happens if the case is considered for participation in a program like the Adult Drug Court Program (FIST), which provides treatment and supervision to drug offenders instead of jail time.
- Traffic misdemeanors: The District Court handles several different kinds of traffic violations that are issued by the Louisiana State Police, the Sheriff’s Office, and other local municipalities. Such crimes include hit and runs, some misdemeanor drunk driving charges, reckless driving, speeding, and running a stop sign.
FAQs
Do the District Courts Handle Misdemeanors in Louisiana?
Yes, the district courts handle misdemeanor charges in Louisiana, as well as felony charges. While many misdemeanor charges are handled by city courts in the state, district courts tend to have primary jurisdiction over felonies. It largely depends on whether the district attorney wants to pursue charges over higher-level misdemeanor offenses. Regardless, you should prepare a strong case built on facts and evidence and hire a skilled defense lawyer to represent you.
What Is the Typical Punishment for a First-Offense Misdemeanor in Louisiana?
There is no typical punishment for a first offense misdemeanor in Louisiana, since every misdemeanor case is different. The punishment must reflect the seriousness of the offense, and each offense has contributing factors that influence sentencing. If no one was hurt as a result of the offense, the court may offer probation, fines, or community service instead of jail time, but there are no guarantees.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Misdemeanor Charge in Lafayette?
The long-term consequences of a misdemeanor charge in Lafayette might include some unfortunate setbacks, like adding to your criminal record. It could limit some of your employment or housing opportunities.
However, a charge is not a conviction. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you are owed your day in court. Hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you, work on a strong defense strategy, and challenge the prosecution’s case against you. This increases your chances of reduced consequences.
What Kind of Crimes Go to the District Court?
District courts in Louisiana generally have jurisdiction over felony charges and most other criminal matters. The more serious an offense, the greater the likelihood that it will be decided in the district court instead of the city court. The court does handle some misdemeanor cases, but the majority of those go to the city court. You should always prepare your defense with careful attention, regardless of the court in which your case is decided.
Hire a Misdemeanor Lawyer
It’s always important to know which court your case will be decided in. For misdemeanors, you should prepare yourself and hire a misdemeanor lawyer. At The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, we bring years of experience and determination to your case, giving you a strong chance of success. Contact us to speak to someone on our team who understands what’s at stake and can help.
