Court

The Clerk’s Office receives and files all pleadings such as petitions, answers and exceptions in Civil, Family, Probate, Juvenile and Adoption matters as well as Indictments, Bills of Information and other filings in Criminal matters. It is the gate through which all proceedings must pass to reach the Court of trial. Each lawsuit, succession proceeding and criminal matter is entered on a docket, assigned a number and indexed for ready reference. The office issues all process, such as citation or notice of the defendants, for service by the Sheriff and subpoenas all witnesses to be used on the trial of Civil, Family and Probate. Daily minutes of the Court are kept in which is entered a brief summary of all proceedings had in each matter.

Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedures Title XI Article 401 lists the qualifications of a juror. Those qualifications state to serve as a juror, a person must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States and of the state of Louisiana who has resided within East Feliciana Parish for at least one year immediately preceding his or her jury service.
  • Be at least eighteen years of age.
  • Be able to read, write, and speak the English language and be possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language.
  • Not be under interdiction or be incapable of serving as a juror because of mental or physical infirmity.
  • Not be under indictment, incarcerated under an order of imprisonment, or on probation or parole for a felony offense within the 5-year period immediately preceding the person’s jury service.

Pursuant to the Louisiana Constitution, 5:33(B), persons 70 years of age and older may claim an exemption from jury duty if they are summoned and do not wish to serve.