Criminal Department/Minute Clerks 

The Criminal Department is responsible for filing all formal criminal charges submitted by the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for Ascension Parish, Louisiana. This department processes all felony and misdemeanor cases.

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The Department issues criminal subpoenas, criminal bench warrants, files extradition documents, processes expungements of criminal records, conducts criminal background checks, files all criminal pleadings, and issues notice of judgment in civil cases.

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The Department is staffed by Civil and Criminal Minute Clerks whose responsibilities include recording official court minutes during court proceedings and transcribing them into the official minute books as required by Article 254. Minute Clerks administer oaths to jurors and witnesses, file exhibits admitted into evidence when directed by the Court, and issue notices to attorneys and other parties regarding criminal rules and trial settings.

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The Criminal Department also files and maintains all Juvenile Delinquency and Child(ren) in Need of Care proceedings.  All juvenile matters are confidential and may not be accessed by the public without a valid court order. In addition, the department maintains criminal non-support cases and related records.