Most criminal cases in Baton Rouge will go to court in downtown Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge was incorporated as a city in 1817. Downtown Baton Rouge represents the beginning of Baton Rouge because it was used in the Civil War. The land is high in downtown, which made a good post for the military. Since then, because it is the capital seat of parish, the state district courthouse and Baton Rouge City Court reside there.
If you have been arrested or received a summons, aka ticket, from a Baton Rouge City Police officer, your case will be in Baton Rouge City Court located at 233 St. Louis Street in downtown Baton Rouge. If you were arrested for a felony or a misdemeanor summons was issued by an agency other than Baton Rouge City Police, then your case will go to District Court located at 300 North Boulevard in downtown Baton Rouge. If you are unsure about where you have court, contact our downtown Baton Rouge criminal lawyers at 225-964-6720.
There are various spots to park if you have court in downtown Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge City Court and District Court are near each other, therefore, parking for one is good for parking for both. There are two parking garages at the corner of St. Louis Street and Government Street. These are very convenient because they rarely get full and your car stays covered from the sun. Be sure to bring cash so you can pay when you leave. You will walk the furthest from here. The closer lot is on St. Ferdinand Street at Louisiana Avenue. It is an open lot that does fill up, so get there early. You will pay at a machine after you park. It is not recommended to park on the street where you are required to keep going back to the meter to insert more money. You may get caught up in court.
It depends which downtown Baton Rouge courthouse you have court in and they reason you have court. Many matters can be dealt with quickly if you have an experienced downtown Baton Rouge criminal defense lawyer who knows the ropes. We minimize the amount of time our clients have to sit in court and sometimes make it so they do not even need to appear. Typically, the court appearances in Baton Rouge City Court can go faster than District Court in you have a criminal lawyer. But, there are exceptions. If you have a motions hearing or trial, you could be in court all day.
If you have court in downtown Baton Rouge, usually you will be finished before lunch. However, there are times when you will be required to be there in the afternoon. Judges may take lunch or just have long dockets that go all day. If you are in the situation where you need lunch, there are a few options. It is not recommended to drive anywhere because there are many options you can walk to and you want to ensure your prompt return to court. Christina’s Restaurant is an excellent restaurant and close by on St. Charles Street. Roly Poly and Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar are directly across the District Courthouse on North Boulevard. Capital City Grill is a great option for a good burger. It is located on Lafayette Street. If you leave the courthouse, always notify your criminal attorney that you are leaving and ask when you should return.
If you need a criminal defense attorney in downtown Baton Rouge, contact us at 225-964-6720.
H. Taylor - Baton Rouge, Louisiana