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Rules for Louisiana District Courts – 2026

The Rules for Louisiana District Courts, 204 rules in six Titles — one uniform set governing practice in every district court, family court and juvenile court in the state. Title I covers proceedings generally: construction and application of the rules, dates of court, judges and facsimile transmissions, court personnel, courtroom use and security, courtroom decorum and the conduct of attorneys, record management and fees. Title II governs civil proceedings, from pleadings and filing through discovery, alternative dispute resolution and special masters, exceptions and motions, and trials. Title III governs criminal proceedings: allotment and assignment of cases, preliminary motions, recording of proceedings, appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction, withdrawal as counsel and post-conviction relief. Title IV governs family law proceedings, including hearing officer conferences and proceedings under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Title V governs juvenile proceedings, and Title VI governs litigation filed by inmates. Rules are cited as La. Dist. Ct. R. 9.5. The per-district Appendices, which each judicial district maintains for itself, are not included.

Browse all 204 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Parts

Title I: Rules for Proceedings in District Courts, Family Courts, and Juvenile Courts Title II: Rules for Civil Proceedings in District Courts Title III: Rules for Criminal Proceedings in District Courts Title IV: Rules for Family Law Proceedings in District Courts, in the Family Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, and Proceedings in Juvenile and District Courts Pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act Title V: Rules for Juvenile Proceedings in District Courts and in Juvenile Courts for the Parishes of East Baton Rouge, Orleans, Jefferson and Caddo Title VI: Rules for Litigation Filed by Inmates
Title I: Rules for Proceedings in District Courts, Family Courts, and Juvenile Courts 28 rules Rules 1.0–8.2 · 8 sections Title II: Rules for Civil Proceedings in District Courts 32 rules Rules 10.0–9.20 · 5 sections Title III: Rules for Criminal Proceedings in District Courts 22 rules Rules 14.0–21.0 · 8 sections Title IV: Rules for Family Law Proceedings in District Courts, in the Family Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, and Proceedings in Juvenile and District Courts Pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act 62 rules Rules 22.0–35.9 · 14 sections Title V: Rules for Juvenile Proceedings in District Courts and in Juvenile Courts for the Parishes of East Baton Rouge, Orleans, Jefferson and Caddo 51 rules Rules 40.0–51.0 · 12 sections Title VI: Rules for Litigation Filed by Inmates 9 rules Rules 60.0–60.8