GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ATTENDING COURT
Court proceedings are generally open to the public. Certain civil matters involving children and all juvenile proceedings are not open to the public. The following information is provided if you plan to attend court as a party, a witness, a juror or because you are interested:
Cell Phones
You may bring your cell phone into the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center or the Washington Parish Courthouse but you will have to turn it completely off when you enter a courtroom. If you use your cell phone in the courtroom to text, check messages, take photos, record or any other activity, you could be fined and/or your cell phone may be taken from you.
Electronic Devices
Tablets, laptops, computer projectors and other electronic devices for court cases and/or business meetings may be allowed in the courthouse in the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center or the Washington Parish Courthouse, subject to search and testing of the devices at the courthouses’ entrance security areas. Please allow sufficient time for security review of your electronics before your scheduled court appearance or business meeting. Please note that security may determine at any time that your electronic devices may not be allowed because the devices are being used improperly.
Children
Children should not be brought to the courthouses if at all possible. It is very difficult for children to remain seated and quiet while attending courtroom proceedings.
Court Attire
Dress in court attire. Courtroom attire means clothing that is respectful to both the court and all persons attending court. Courtroom attire includes long pants, a skirt or dress, shoes and or an appropriate shirt without slogans or advertisements. Do not wear shower shoes, shorts or hats. Be aware that security requires you to remove your belt when coming into the courthouse through the security area.
Food and Drink
You may bring food or drink into the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center or the Washington Parish Courthouse. However, you cannot bring food and drink into the courtrooms. Vending machines are located on the 1st floor at the north end of the building (Covington) and on the 1st floor across from the Clerk’s Office (Franklinton). You can also use the vending machines in the 3rd floor Jury Pool Room (Covington) but only if there are no jurors in the room.
Parking
St. Tammany:
Free Parking is located across the street from the St. Tammany Justice Center in a multi-level garage and adjacent lot on Jefferson Street.
Washington:
Free parking is located on the surrounding streets.
Security
Security for the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center and the Washington Parish Courthouse is provided by the respective parish Sheriff’s offices. By providing a safe and secure environment for the administration of justice, the members of the parish Sheriff’s offices contribute to the court’s objective to deliver justice to the public with dignity and speed. Security requires that all persons entering either the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center or the Washington Parish Courthouse be subject to search for concealed weapons. Screening for concealed weapons is accomplished by use of a walk-through metal detector, a security x-ray machine and a hand-held metal detector. Please be aware that everyone entering these buildings will be required to remove their hats, empty their pockets and remove their belt for scanning through the security x-ray machine.
In addition to screening for concealed weapons, the respective parish Sheriff’s offices provide certain police officers to serve as “bailiffs” in each courtroom. Bailiffs are specially trained to provide security in the courtrooms. They will stand inside the courtroom for all proceedings as well as provide security to all participants, the general public, court staff and jurors in the courtroom.
Detectors and X-Rays
A walk-through metal detector, x-ray machine and hand-held metal detectors are used at every public entrance to the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center and the Washington Parish Courthouse. These machines scan for prohibited items people may attempt to carry into the courthouse, such as knives or guns. The machine will set off an alarm if any person attempts to carry a prohibited item through the detectors. Officers are on site monitoring the equipment at all times.
Prohibited Items
Security requires that all persons entering the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center or Washington Parish Courthouse be subject to search for concealed weapons. In addition, the following is an illustrative list of items banned from each building: firearms; knives; explosive devices; sharp objects such as hat pins, hair picks, nail files, nail clippers, scissors; or aerosol cans containing anything from hair spray to mace.
REMOTE HEARINGS
May I personally appear in court for a hearing or status conference?
The 22nd Judicial District Court is currently hearing matters in person and by video conferencing (Zoom). All court matters are scheduled by filing a Docket Slip with the Clerk of Court. The Clerk will then present the file to the Judge who will fix the time and place of the hearing. Those parties who wish to hear their case through Zoom should contact the Judge’s office
Do I need special software to attend court online?
If you are using your phone or tablet, you need to DOWNLOAD the Zoom App. If you are using a computer, you need to DOWNLOAD the “Zoom Client for Meetings.” Please download Zoom days before court to make sure that it works properly.
Where do I find rules for attending hearings remotely?
At the appointed time, simply click on the “Join Video Conference” button on the HOME page, find your division and click on the button to follow the link and enter the password that you received from the Court. Please make sure to add your full name in Zoom before joining. The Court will admit you into the hearing/status conference when all parties are present. You will be placed into a virtual waiting room until that time. Please be patient.
MAKE SURE TO TEST ALL DEVICES AND INTERNET SPEED BEFORE YOUR HEARING. ANYTHING LESS THAN 15-20 MBPS MAY CAUSE CONNECTION PROBLEMS.
What if I or my client experiences technical or connection issues during the hearing?
Don’t panic, the Court will wait until you rejoin. Follow the same procedures you used to join the first time. If your internet is working and you are still having trouble rejoining, please try refreshing your browser before calling the Court.
Can I converse with my client privately during the remote proceeding?
Yes. The Court has the capability of placing you and your client into a virtual, break-out room. These rooms are private and the Court DOES NOT record or monitor either of these break-out rooms.
How do I obtain pretrial conference, motion and trial dates?
File a Docket Slip setting the Rule, Motion or Exception with the Clerk of Court. The clerk will then present it to the assigned division.
When selecting a court date, do I first have to confirm the date selected with opposing counsel?
The Court encourages any party requesting a hearing to consult with opposing counsel to select an available date.
What are the procedures for submitting evidence?
If you need to submit evidence into the record during a virtual hearing, plan ahead. Typically, evidence that may be offered during a pretrial hearing is already in the record as it was attached to the motion and memorandum. The Court will rule on its admissibility during the hearing. If other evidence needs to be introduced at the time of the hearing, however, make sure you are familiar with how to share your screen and how to provide a copy of the exhibit to the Court and opposing counsel. If you’d like to discuss this procedure, please call the Judge’s chambers.
What if I need to cancel and/or reschedule the day and time of my hearing?
If you need to cancel your hearing, simply fax a letter to the Judge’s chambers and call the Minute Clerk to let the Court know of the cancellation. If you are also rescheduling, you must state that there is no opposition and that all parties waive notice. Otherwise, a formal motion to reset will be required.
Where should I send a courtesy copy?
Please fax all courtesy copies to the Judge’s chambers. The fax may exceed the 15 page limitation without first seeking leave of Court. There is no need to mail or hand deliver a courtesy copy to chambers. Save the postage and printing costs
