Blog/News
If you are facing a misdemeanor charge in Jefferson Parish First Parish Court, the outcome of your case can affect your freedom, your driver’s license, your job, and your reputation. Stephen D. Hébert is an experienced Jefferson Parish criminal defense attorney who regularly represents clients in First Parish Court in Metairie, where misdemeanor cases from the East Bank of the Mississippi River are prosecuted.
This page is designed to help you understand First Parish Court, the types of misdemeanor cases handled there, and how an experienced local defense lawyer can protect your rights from the very beginning of the case.
What Is Jefferson Parish First Parish Court?
Jefferson Parish First Parish Court is located in Metairie, Louisiana, and has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal offenses and traffic-related cases arising on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. If an arrest occurs in Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, Harahan, or other East Bank areas, the case will typically be filed in First Parish Court.
First Parish Court commonly handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal charges
- DWI and DUI offenses
- Traffic offenses and license-related matters
- Preliminary proceedings before felony cases are transferred to the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna
Although misdemeanors are considered less serious than felonies, the consequences can still include jail time, fines, probation, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.
Common Misdemeanor Charges in First Parish Court
Stephen D. Hébert regularly defends clients in First Parish Court against a wide range of misdemeanor offenses, including:
- DWI / DUI (First and Second Offenses)
- Simple Battery and Domestic Battery
- Disturbing the Peace
- Resisting an Officer
- Simple Criminal Damage to Property
- Theft and Shoplifting
- Drug Possession (Marijuana and other controlled substances)
- Traffic and License Offenses
Each of these charges carries its own penalties and defenses. Early intervention by an experienced First Parish Court defense lawyer can often make a significant difference in how a case is resolved.
The Importance of Local Experience in First Parish Court
Jefferson Parish courts have their own procedures, prosecutors, and expectations. What works in one court does not always work in another. Stephen D. Hébert has extensive experience handling cases in First Parish Court and understands:
- How misdemeanor cases are screened and charged
- How local prosecutors evaluate cases
- What judges expect in court
- When cases can be dismissed, reduced, or resolved without jail time
Local knowledge matters, especially when negotiating plea agreements, filing motions, or identifying weaknesses in the State’s case.
DWI and Misdemeanor Offenses in First Parish Court
Many people first encounter the criminal justice system through a DWI arrest. In Jefferson Parish, DWI cases arising on the East Bank are prosecuted in First Parish Court, separate from West Bank cases handled in Second Parish Court.
A misdemeanor DWI conviction can result in:
- Jail time
- Heavy fines and court costs
- Driver’s license suspension
- Ignition interlock requirements
- Increased insurance rates
Stephen D. Hébert carefully examines every DWI case for illegal stops, improper field sobriety testing, breath test errors, and constitutional violations. Not every arrest leads to a lawful conviction, and many cases can be challenged.
What Happens After a Misdemeanor Arrest in Jefferson Parish?
After a misdemeanor arrest on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish, a defendant may be booked, released, or required to post bond. The case is then set for arraignment in First Parish Court, where formal charges are addressed and future court dates are scheduled.
Critical issues such as bond conditions, discovery, motions, and potential Article 701 time limits often arise early. Having a defense attorney involved from the start allows these issues to be addressed strategically, rather than reactively.
Why Choose Stephen D. Hébert for First Parish Court Cases?
Stephen D. Hébert is a respected Louisiana criminal defense attorney known for handling serious and complex cases. When lawyers themselves face criminal allegations or need referrals for difficult matters, he is often the attorney they call — a reputation earned through experience, results, and peer recognition.
Clients benefit from:
- Personalized attention and clear communication
- Strategic, aggressive defense planning
- Experience in Jefferson Parish courts
- A focus on minimizing long-term consequences, not just resolving the immediate case
Serving All of Jefferson Parish
This page focuses on First Parish Court in Metairie, but Stephen D. Hébert represents clients throughout Jefferson Parish, including cases in Second Parish Court (West Bank) and felony matters in the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna.
No matter where your case is pending, understanding the specific court and its procedures is essential to an effective defense.
Speak With a Jefferson Parish First Parish Court Defense Lawyer
If you are facing a misdemeanor charge in Jefferson Parish First Parish Court, do not assume the case will “work itself out.” Early, informed legal representation can often prevent mistakes that follow a person for years.
Contact Stephen D. Hébert today to discuss your case, your options, and how to protect your rights in First Parish Court.
This page is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
24th Judicial District Court Defense Attorney — Jefferson Parish
Charged with a felony in Jefferson Parish? Your case is already moving through the 24th JDC in Gretna. Put a defense attorney who works this courthouse every week in your corner.
If you or someone you love has a case pending in the 24th Judicial District Court at the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse, 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna, what you do now matters. Charges get formalized, deadlines start running, and the first settings before your division shape everything that follows. Stephen D. Hébert's practice is centered in Jefferson Parish — the firm's Gretna office is just down Huey P. Long Avenue from the courthouse — and he steps in early, before small problems in a case become permanent ones.
Don't just fight hard. Fight smart. Call or text 504-250-6020.
Why getting a lawyer in early changes the outcome
Louisiana criminal cases move on a clock. Under the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, the State faces hard deadlines to bring a case forward, including the speedy-trial limits in Article 701. Evidence has to be demanded and preserved. Motions to suppress an illegal stop, search, or statement have to be filed at the right time, or the chance is gone.
Waiting for the next court date to "see what happens" almost always favors the prosecution. The earlier a defense attorney is involved, the more there is to work with: weak links in the State's case, problems with how the arrest was handled, and room to negotiate a charge down before positions harden.
How Stephen D. Hébert defends a case in the 24th JDC
Every case is different, but representation in Jefferson Parish generally moves through the same stages — and there's strategy at each one:
- First appearance and bond. In Jefferson Parish, early steps like the initial appearance and setting bond are typically handled before the court's Criminal Commissioner. If your loved one is still in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, getting in front of the bond question quickly can be the difference between fighting the case from home and fighting it from jail.
- Arraignment. Entering the plea before your division and locking in your rights, while we begin pulling the State's evidence.
- Discovery and investigation. Reviewing JPSO reports, body-camera and surveillance footage, lab work, and witness statements to find what the case actually rests on.
- Pretrial motions. Challenging illegal searches, bad stops, coerced or improper statements, and shaky identifications — anything that can suppress evidence or shrink the charges.
- Negotiation. Pushing for a dismissal, a reduction, diversion, or another resolution that protects your record and your future.
- Trial. When the right move is to try the case, being ready to take it to a jury — and the State knowing that — is leverage in itself.
If a conviction or ruling needs to be challenged, appeals from the 24th JDC go to the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, also located in Gretna.
Charges handled in the 24th Judicial District Court
The 24th JDC has original jurisdiction over felony cases arising across Jefferson Parish — Gretna, Metairie, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, and the surrounding communities. Stephen D. Hébert represents clients across the range of serious matters that come through it, including:
- Felony charges of all classes
- Drug and narcotics offenses
- Crimes of violence
- Theft, property, and white-collar charges
- Weapons charges
- DWI, including repeat-offense DWI
- Probation, post-conviction, and other post-arrest proceedings
If you're not sure where your charge falls or how serious it is, call and we'll walk through it.
Why clients put Stephen D. Hébert in their corner
This is a Jefferson Parish criminal defense practice first. Stephen D. Hébert practices primarily in the 24th Judicial District Court, with an office in Gretna minutes from the courthouse — and knowing the building, the divisions, and how local cases actually move is part of how you build a defense that works. He's a Super Lawyers–rated, AV Preeminent–rated attorney, and the approach is direct: tell you the truth about where your case stands, then fight for the best outcome available.
What to do now — and what not to do
- Do speak with a defense attorney before you talk to police or prosecutors about the facts.
- Do write down everything you remember while it's fresh — names, times, what was said, what was searched.
- Do keep every court date, summons, and bond condition. A missed setting can turn into a warrant.
- Don't discuss your case over recorded jail phone lines or on social media.
- Don't assume a charge is minor, or that it will quietly go away on its own.
Talk to a Jefferson Parish criminal defense attorney today
You don't have to face the 24th JDC alone. Whether you were just arrested in Jefferson Parish or your case has been pending for a while, Stephen D. Hébert can tell you where things stand and what can be done about it.
Call or text 504-250-6020. Phone answered 24/7; office visits by appointment.
Gretna Office: 230 Huey P. Long Avenue, Suite 201, Gretna, LA 70053
New Orleans Office: 700 Camp Street, Suite 216, New Orleans, LA 70130
Frequently asked questions
Where is the 24th Judicial District Court located?
The court sits in the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse (the former Jefferson Parish Courthouse Annex) at 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna. It handles felony cases arising throughout Jefferson Parish.
How soon should I hire a lawyer for a Jefferson Parish case?
As soon as possible. The early stage — around first appearance and arraignment — is when evidence can be preserved, deadlines protected, and a charge potentially reduced. The longer you wait, the fewer options tend to be on the table.
My loved one is still in jail in Gretna. Can you help with bond?
Yes. Custody and the court case are handled separately, and addressing bond early is often the first priority. Call 504-250-6020 and we'll talk through the situation.
Can my charges be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes — it depends on the facts, the evidence, and the law. Many cases are resolved short of trial through suppression of bad evidence, negotiation, or diversion. The only way to know what's realistic in your case is to have someone review it.
What if I want to appeal a conviction from the 24th JDC?
Appeals from the 24th Judicial District Court go to the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal in Gretna, which reviews convictions, pretrial rulings, and sentencing. There are strict deadlines to file, so don't wait to ask about your options.
What does it cost to talk to you?
Call or text 504-250-6020 to discuss your case and fees.
The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no outcome is guaranteed. Every case depends on its own facts.
Click here for more information about the 24th Judicial District Court
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Defense Attorney
Charged with a crime in New Orleans? Your case is moving whether you're ready or not. Put a defense attorney who knows this courthouse in your corner.
If you or someone you love has a case pending in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court at 2700 Tulane Avenue, the decisions you make right now matter. Charges get formalized, deadlines start running, and the first court settings shape everything that follows. Stephen D. Hébert defends people facing serious criminal charges in New Orleans, and he steps in early — before small problems in a case become permanent ones.
Don't just fight hard. Fight smart. Call or text 504-250-6020.
Why getting a lawyer in early changes the outcome
Louisiana criminal cases move on a clock. Under the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, the State faces hard deadlines to bring a case forward, including the speedy-trial limits in Article 701. Evidence has to be demanded and preserved. Motions to suppress an illegal stop, search, or statement have to be filed at the right time, or the chance is gone.
Waiting for the next court date to "see what happens" almost always favors the prosecution. The earlier a defense attorney is involved, the more there is to work with: weak links in the State's case, problems with how the arrest was handled, and room to negotiate a charge down before positions harden.
How Stephen D. Hébert defends a case in Criminal District Court
Every case is different, but representation generally moves through the same stages — and there's strategy at each one:
- Bond and Magistrate matters. If your loved one is still in custody, getting in front of the bond question quickly can be the difference between fighting the case from home and fighting it from jail.
- Arraignment. Entering the plea and locking in your rights, while we begin pulling the State's evidence.
- Discovery and investigation. Reviewing police reports, body-camera and surveillance footage, lab work, and witness statements to find what the case actually rests on.
- Pretrial motions. Challenging illegal searches, bad stops, coerced or improper statements, and shaky identifications — anything that can suppress evidence or shrink the charges.
- Negotiation. Pushing for a dismissal, a reduction, diversion, or another resolution that protects your record and your future.
- Trial. When the right move is to try the case, being ready to take it to a jury — and the State knowing that — is leverage in itself.
Charges handled in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
Stephen D. Hébert represents clients across the range of serious matters that come through Criminal District Court, including:
- Felony charges of all classes
- Drug and narcotics offenses
- Crimes of violence
- Theft, property, and white-collar charges
- DWI and related charges
- Probation, post-conviction, and other post-arrest proceedings
If you're not sure where your charge falls or how serious it is, call and we'll walk through it.
Why clients put Stephen D. Hébert in their corner
This is a New Orleans criminal defense practice, not a sampler of unrelated services. Stephen D. Hébert is a Super Lawyers–rated, AV Preeminent–rated attorney who handles cases in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court regularly — and knowing the courthouse, the sections, and how local cases actually move is part of how you build a defense that works. The approach is direct: tell you the truth about where your case stands, then fight for the best outcome available.
What to do now — and what not to do
- Do speak with a defense attorney before you talk to police or prosecutors about the facts.
- Do write down everything you remember while it's fresh — names, times, what was said, what was searched.
- Do keep every court date, summons, and bond condition. A missed setting can turn into a warrant.
- Don't discuss your case over recorded jail phone lines or on social media.
- Don't assume a charge is minor, or that it will quietly go away on its own.
Talk to a New Orleans criminal defense attorney today
You don't have to figure out Criminal District Court alone. Whether you were just arrested or your case has been pending for a while, Stephen D. Hébert can tell you where things stand and what can be done about it.
Call or text 504-250-6020. Phone answered 24/7; office visits by appointment.
New Orleans Office: 700 Camp Street, Suite 216, New Orleans, LA 70130
Gretna Office: 230 Huey P. Long Avenue, Suite 201, Gretna, LA 70053
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I hire a lawyer for an Orleans Parish case?
As soon as possible. The early stage — before and around arraignment — is when evidence can be preserved, deadlines protected, and a charge potentially reduced. The longer you wait, the fewer options tend to be on the table.
My loved one is still in jail. Can you help with bond?
Yes. Custody and the court case are handled separately, and addressing bond early is often the first priority. Call 504-250-6020 and we'll talk through the situation.
Can my charges be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes — it depends on the facts, the evidence, and the law. Many cases are resolved short of trial through suppression of bad evidence, negotiation, or diversion. The only way to know what's realistic in your case is to have someone review it.
Do I have to go to trial?
Not necessarily. A large share of cases resolve before trial. But preparing as if the case could be tried — and being willing to try it — is part of getting a better result.
What does it cost to talk to you?
Call or text 504-250-6020 to discuss your case and fees.
The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no outcome is guaranteed. Every case depends on its own facts.