Hammond Court Records

Hammond court records come from two main offices: Hammond City Court on East Thomas Street, which is a court of record handling civil, criminal, traffic, and juvenile matters, and the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court, which holds 21st Judicial District records for the full parish. Public access to both is available under La. R.S. 44:1 and Louisiana's public records law.

Hammond City Court Records

Hammond City Court is a court of record that processes civil, criminal, traffic, and juvenile matters within the city. As a court of record, it keeps official transcripts and formal case files, which makes it easier to access records and to appeal decisions if needed. This distinguishes it from mayor's courts, which do not keep transcripts.

Civil jurisdiction at Hammond City Court extends up to $50,000. Small claims cases, where the amount at issue does not exceed $5,000, are also heard there. This broad range means many civil disputes in Hammond stay at city court rather than moving up to district court. For cases above $50,000, the 21st Judicial District Court is the right venue.

The court has specific rules about payment. Accepted methods are cash, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover Card. No personal checks are accepted. If you mail a payment that arrives after your court appearance date, an additional $125 fee applies on top of whatever you owe. This rule catches people off guard, so it is worth noting if you plan to pay by mail.

Civil and small claims filing fees changed effective January 1, 2026. Small claims suits now cost $125.50 to file. Civil suits cost $175.00. Photocopies from the court are $1 per page. Certified copies are $5 per page. These fees apply to new filings and copy requests as of that date.

Note: Mail payments that arrive after your court appearance date require an extra $125 fee. Pay early or pay in person to avoid this charge.

Hammond City Court Website

Hammond City Court maintains a public website with detailed information about court procedures, payment rules, fees, and court schedules. The screenshot below shows the court's homepage, which is a useful reference before your first visit or call to the clerk's office.

The court's website is regularly updated and includes specific guidance on what to bring to hearings and how to request records from the clerk's office.

Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court - Hammond Records

The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court holds all 21st Judicial District Court records for the parish. This includes felony criminal cases, major civil suits above city court jurisdiction, domestic matters, successions, and mortgage and conveyance records. For Hammond residents involved in district-level proceedings, the Hammond office of the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk is the place to go.

The Hammond office is located at 318-A NW Railroad Avenue. In-person searches are available during business hours, and staff can assist with name or case number lookups and certified copy requests. Public access terminals allow free self-service searches. The clerk's main office for the full parish is also available, but the Hammond location is most convenient for city residents.

Under La. R.S. 44:31, any person may request to inspect or copy public records. The clerk must respond in a timely manner and must explain in writing any reason for denying access to a specific document. The vast majority of court records are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed.

Searching Hammond Court Records Online

Tangipahoa Parish court records are available through the statewide Clerk Connect portal, which allows searches by name or case number across multiple Louisiana parishes. Clerk Connect provides access to civil and criminal case dockets, judgment records, and some document images for records filed with the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk. It is available at clerkconnect.com.

City court records from Hammond City Court may not appear in the same statewide portal. For city court records specifically, the most reliable approach is to contact the court directly by phone at (985) 542-3455 or visit the clerk's window at 303 East Thomas Street. The court's own records system is separate from the district court clerk's database.

Under La. R.S. 44:32, public records must be accessible during normal business hours. A fee may be charged for copies. At Hammond City Court, certified copies cost $5 per page and photocopies are $1 per page. District court copy fees follow standard state schedules set by the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk.

Note: Hammond City Court and the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk are separate offices with separate record systems. If you are unsure which court handled a matter, call both and provide the name and approximate date of the case.

Hammond Court Records - Juvenile Matters

Hammond City Court handles juvenile matters, which is less common for a city court and reflects the breadth of its jurisdiction. Juvenile cases at city court are subject to additional privacy rules under Louisiana law. Many juvenile records are not part of the standard public record and require specific legal authority or a court order to access.

One practical rule at Hammond City Court is that no cell phones are allowed on juvenile court days. This applies to everyone in the building on those days, not just parties to juvenile cases. If you are visiting the court to request records on a day when juvenile matters are scheduled, be aware of this rule and plan accordingly.

For juvenile records at the district court level, the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk holds those filings, but access is similarly restricted by law. Most juvenile records are confidential, and requests for access typically require a showing of need or a court order directing the clerk to release specific documents.

Hammond Court Records - Civil and Criminal Coverage

Between city court and the parish clerk, Hammond court records cover the full range of legal matters in the city and surrounding parish. Civil records at city court include small claims up to $5,000, civil suits up to $50,000, and all the judgments and orders that come out of those cases. District court civil records cover larger disputes and include all the same document types at a higher jurisdictional level.

Criminal records at city court include misdemeanor matters, traffic cases, and DWI charges within city jurisdiction. Felony criminal records go to the 21st JD and are filed with the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk. The clerk's criminal records include charge information, case dispositions, pleas, verdicts, and sentences for felony cases in the parish.

Domestic records including divorce filings, child custody orders, and child support judgments are filed with the parish clerk and are generally part of the public record. Succession records and mortgage and conveyance documents are also maintained by the clerk and are useful for property research and estate matters in Tangipahoa Parish.

Nearby Cities

These nearby Louisiana cities also have accessible court records through local courts and parish clerks.