FAQs • Baton Rouge, LA • CivicEngage

What if I can’t pay my fine? Can I do community service work in lieu of my fine or make partial payments?: Community Service Work and Partial Payment plans are available in some cases. If you cannot pay your fine by the scheduled court date, you must appear in person in Room 145 to have your case file pulled and reviewed. Failure to appear timely will result in the issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest, withdrawal of your driving privileges, and the assessment of additional penalty fees. All City Court Warrants for arrest are posted on the City Court Warrants Page.

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City Court - Criminal / Traffic

1. What payment methods do you accept for payment of fines, fees and court costs?

City Court accepts cash, checks made payable to the City of Baton Rouge (no temporary checks), Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card. A 4% processing fee is charged to credit card payments. A $50 NSF fee is charged on all checks returned unpaid for criminal/traffic payments. Payments by check can be made in person at:

233 St. Louis Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

or mailed to:

Baton Rouge City Court
Accounting Division
P.O. Box 3438
Baton Rouge, LA. 70821

A payment by mail postmarked after your court appearance date must include and additional $50 penalty fee. Credit card payments can be made in person or by telephone by calling 225-389-5289. Please have your ticket number and credit card number available when you call. Credit card payments can also be made through the City Court Online Payment Center website or through the City Court automated phone payment system, which can be reached by dialing 225-367-2338. Only Visa and MasterCard are accepted through these automated payment systems.

2. Can I get an extension or reschedule my court date?: You must appear in person in Room 145 on or before your scheduled court date to have your file pulled and reviewed to see if you qualify for approval of an extension. Another person cannot appear on your behalf to request an extension or reschedule your court date because the violator must sign for notice of the new court date. A personal appearance is required and proper picture identification is required. Another person can, however, appear and pay for your fine.

3. What if I can’t pay my fine? Can I do community service work in lieu of my fine or make partial payments?: Community Service Work and Partial Payment plans are available in some cases. If you cannot pay your fine by the scheduled court date, you must appear in person in Room 145 to have your case file pulled and reviewed. Failure to appear timely will result in the issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest, withdrawal of your driving privileges, and the assessment of additional penalty fees. All City Court Warrants for arrest are posted on the City Court Warrants Page.

4. Do I have to provide proof of insurance for a vehicle that is not mine?: If you do not have proof of insurance, regardless if the vehicle is yours, you will be required to appear in court on the scheduled court appearance date.

5. How can I keep a ticket or misdemeanor off my record?

There are two Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Laws, Article 892.1 and Article 894 that provide a method to keep a ticket or misdemeanor offense off of your record. To participate in either one of these programs, you must pay the fine and applicable driving school fee. Payment and scheduling can be completed by a personal appearance or a payment can be mailed along with a written request to participate in the program. A court appearance date will be given to you according to the applicable programs indicated below. If your payment and request is made by mail, you will receive your notice by mail.

Article 892.1 Requirements - Traffic Offenses:

Affidavit attesting to compliance with court conditions must be signed and notarized. View the Affidavit Pursuant to Article 892.1 (PDF) document
Court date scheduled for 90 days to complete the four-hour defensive driving course
First time offenders, no moving violations on driving record
No other dismissals in the past two years from date of offense
Traffic misdemeanor offenses only
Valid driver’s license in a participating state

Article 894 Requirements - Traffic, Misdemeanor, or DWI Offenses:

No more than one prior moving violation within last 3 years
Valid Louisiana or participating state driver’s license
No other dismissals in the past five years
Court date scheduled for 6 months to complete the 6 hour defensive driving course
Six month probationary period-must refrain from any and all criminal conduct and traffic violations
Affidavit attesting to compliance with Court conditions must be signed and notarized. Download the Article 894 Guidelines (PDF) and download and view the Article 894 Affidavit (PDF)
$50 fee payable to DPS-Motor Vehicles, for DWI offenses
Call 225-389-3020 for further information

6. How can I get a copy of court minutes? Or how can I get a copy of my case disposition?

You will need to appear in person in Room 145. The following costs will apply:

Certified Court Minutes: $1 per page
Court Minutes: $.50 per page

7. My driver’s license has been suspended. How do I get it reinstated?: You will need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-877-368-5463 to find out why your license has been suspended. You may have an outstanding traffic fine owed and must clear this up before your license can be reinstated.

8. Do I have an outstanding Bench Warrant?: All City Court bench warrants are posted on our Warrant Reports website. You can also call our Criminal/Traffic Division at 225-389-5278 or the Warrant Division of the City Constable’s Office at 225-389-3889.

9. How and where can I get a criminal background check for my job?: The Baton Rouge Police Department no longer provides record checks for employment or housing. This can be done in person at the Bureau of Criminal Identification at State Police Headquarters located at 7919 Independence Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Their phone number is 225-925-6095. Forms can also be obtained from the Louisiana State Police website.

10. How long does a traffic ticket stay on my driving record?: A ticket remains on your driving record for 3 years after the final disposition of guilty.

11. Can I see what is on my Criminal Record for City Court?: You can request a search of the records of charges filed in Baton Rouge City Court by calling the Records Division at 225-389-8388. There is a $20. record check fee charged for this search.

12. How can I clear my Criminal Record?: Some arrest charges can qualify for expungement if your case was dismissed or an acquittal was received. Call the Records Division at 225-389-8388. There is a $100. filing fee for requesting an expungement.