Jefferson Parish Expungement: Filing Process and Local Requirements

Every Parish Runs Expungement Differently

Louisiana uses standardized uniform expungement forms statewide under La. C. Cr. P. Article 986, but the actual filing experience varies dramatically from parish to parish. The Clerk of Court in Jefferson Parish operates nothing like the Clerk in Orleans Parish, and both are different from filing in a rural parish like Union or Bienville.

The same statutory fees apply everywhere — $550 maximum under Article 983 — but payment methods, filing counter procedures, background check costs, and processing timelines all depend on local practice. Filing in the wrong format or with the wrong payment method for your parish results in an immediate rejection at the counter and a wasted trip.

Jefferson Parish

Jefferson Parish handles one of the highest volumes of expungement filings in the state, second only to Orleans. The 24th Judicial District Court processes these filings through its criminal division in Gretna.

Filing location: Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, Criminal Division, 200 Derbigny Street, Gretna, LA 70053.

Background check cost: Jefferson Parish charges $50 for a Right to Review background check through the local LAPS terminal — significantly higher than the standard $26 charged in most other parishes. This is a local surcharge, not a statewide increase.

Payment methods: The clerk accepts money orders for the $550 filing fee. All four money orders must be made separately payable: $200 to the Clerk of Court, $250 to the Louisiana State Police, $50 to the District Attorney, and $50 to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

Processing timeline: Jefferson Parish typically processes uncontested expungements within 90 to 120 days from filing, including the mandatory 60-day objection window.

Orleans Parish

Orleans Parish has the most complex filing infrastructure in the state because Orleans Criminal District Court operates as a consolidated court with multiple divisions and sections, each assigned to a different judge.

Filing location: Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Clerk of Criminal Court, 2700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119. Criminal expungement filings go through the intake windows on the ground floor.

Payment methods: Orleans Parish is one of the few courts in Louisiana that accepts cash and credit cards at the filing counter in addition to money orders. This is unusual — most parishes strictly require money orders.

Local quirks: The Orleans Parish DA's office has historically been one of the more active offices in filing objections, particularly for felony expungements. If you are filing a felony conviction expungement in Orleans Parish, budget for the possibility of a contradictory hearing.

Processing timeline: Orleans can be slower than suburban parishes due to higher volume. Expect 120 to 180 days for an uncontested filing.

East Baton Rouge Parish

East Baton Rouge — covering the state capital — processes filings through the 19th Judicial District Court.

Filing location: East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

Payment methods: Money orders required for filing fees. The clerk's office strictly enforces the four-separate-money-order format.

LSP proximity advantage: Because LSP BCII headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge filers can get their Right to Review background check done in person at LSP headquarters (7919 Independence Boulevard) for $26 plus a $10 fingerprinting fee, rather than mailing fingerprint cards and waiting weeks.

Caddo Parish

Caddo Parish (Shreveport) handles filings through the 1st Judicial District Court.

Filing location: Caddo Parish Clerk of Court, 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA 71101.

Forms note: The Caddo Parish Clerk's office has historically made the Louisiana uniform expungement forms packet available for download directly from their website. These are the same standardized forms used statewide under Article 986. However, always verify you are using the most current version — forms printed before August 2024 are obsolete due to changes under Act 580 (SB 116).

Payment methods: Money orders required. Caddo follows the standard four-money-order format.

Lafayette Parish

Lafayette Parish processes filings through the 15th Judicial District Court.

Filing location: Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court, 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501.

Payment methods: Strictly money orders. Lafayette Parish does not accept cash, personal checks, or credit cards for expungement filing fees.

Processing timeline: Lafayette generally processes uncontested filings within 90 days.

Universal Requirements Across All Parishes

Regardless of which parish you file in, the following requirements are the same statewide:

The packet must include: The uniform Motion for Expungement (EXP 5), the Order of Expungement (EXP 8), the Affidavit of Response (EXP 7, left blank for agencies), a certified Right to Review background check dated within 60 days, and certified court minutes showing the final disposition.

The arrest date must match exactly. The booking date on your motion must match the booking date on your LSP Right to Review check, down to the day. A single-day discrepancy triggers an LSP rejection during the objection window.

You must use the original booking charge. Even if the DA later reduced or amended the charge, the motion must list the original charge at the time of booking.

Money orders for LSP must be valid for at least one year. LSP rejects money orders with shorter expiration windows.

The $550 is non-refundable. If your petition is denied — because of an eligibility error, a missing document, or a successful agency objection — you do not get your filing fees back.

Filing in the Right Parish

You file in the parish where the arrest occurred, not where you currently live. If you were arrested in Jefferson Parish but now live in Lafayette, your petition goes to Jefferson Parish. If you have arrests in multiple parishes, you must file separate petitions in each parish — Louisiana enforces a strict one-arrest-per-motion rule.

The Louisiana Expungement & Record Sealing Guide includes parish-specific filing guidance, the complete forms packet walkthrough, and fee waiver instructions for each agency.

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