Baton Rouge City Court is a municipal court of record created in 1900 by La. R.S 13:2071, and extended by the Plan of Government. This court processes civil, criminal, and traffic matters. Civil claims include, but are not limited to, personal injury, contract, and landlord-tenant cases up to $35,000, as well as small-claims cases of $5,000 or less.
The Court maintains criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanors that are offenses generally punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or a jail term of not more than six months. All fines, costs, and forfeitures levied by the judges are collected by the Clerk’s Office and deposited into the City-Parish general fund.
Mission
The mission of the Court is to fairly and impartially facilitate the administration of justice and to promote public confidence and trust by protecting and safeguarding individual rights and liberties.
We pledge to develop, institute, and maintain policies and practices which support this mission and furnish access to this Court by all persons.