Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Court
Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Court
LaSalle Parish, Louisiana
Judge J. Christopher Peters
Welcome
Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Court
The Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Court is a single member judicial district comprised of all of LaSalle Parish. Our parish was created in 1910 from the western section of Catahoula Parish, and was named for Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle. According to the United States Census for 2020, our parish has a population of 14,791, and covers approximately 662 square miles. The parish seat is Jena, Louisiana. The court has one judge, Judge J. Christopher Peters. Judge Peters is the tenth judge in the history of LaSalle Parish, being first elected in 2008. He took the bench on January 1, 2009.
Message from Judge J. Christopher Peters
I would like to thank the citizens of LaSalle Parish for honoring me with opportunity to serve the Twenty-Eighth Judicial District as Judge. I promise to strive to uphold that trust daily, and perform my duties impartially and justly. As each of you know, the role of the judge is to be an unbiased and neutral arbiter of conflicts between parties. All persons, regardless of background or position, enter into this court equal and worthy of respect. I can assure you that all of my decisions will be based upon the evidence presented in court and upon my understanding of the law through careful study. My office staff will treat all persons courteously and professionally, and it is our prayer that we will provide you with a judicial system of which you can boast that justice is always present. May God bless this Court, LaSalle Parish, and the United States of America.
Court proceedings are cancelled for August 30, 2021
Due to anticipated inclement weather and dangerous conditions associated with Hurricane Ida, all criminal proceedings scheduled for August 30, 2021, are continued and will be reset by written motion. We apologize for the inconvenience; however, we can assure you that your matter will be reset as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
COVID-19 COURT STATUS
July 7, 2020
In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration by Governor John Bel Edwards in Proclamation Numbers 25 JBE 2020, 27 JBE 2020, 30 JBE 2020, 33 JBE 2020, and 41 JBE 2020, by Order of the Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Court, this jurisdiction is hereby closed for all jury trials through July 31, 2020. In light of the fact that Louisiana remains in Phase II of its recovery, and as such, indoor public gatherings are limited to fifty (50%) of capacity, the calling of a jury venire would be impermissible given the number of potential jurors reporting to the LaSalle Parish Courthouse would exceed that capacity. However, all other proceedings are allowed, including in person appearances, for all civil, criminal, and juvenile matters. Virtual appearances are still encouraged if appropriate.
The court will follow guidelines as set forth by the Louisiana Supreme Court for the protection of all users of the judicial system. Accordingly, attendance at court proceedings shall be limited to the parties, their counsel and witnesses. All counsel and witnesses shall wear masks, except when offering testimony or addressing the Court. Social distancing shall be practiced to the extent possible.
Further, it should be noted that access is currently limited to the LaSalle Parish Courthouse by Order of the LaSalle Parish Police Jury.
The Twenty-Eighth Judicial District Court shall comply (and is in compliance) with all orders of the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Governor of the State of Louisiana.
Contact
1050 Courthouse Street, Room 4
Post Office Box 1890
Jena, Louisiana 71342
28thjdc@gmail.com
Telephone: (318) 992-2002
Facsimile: (318) 992-8701