FAQ's
Anonymous Tips
To submit a tip about criminal activity to the District Attorney’s office, use the email address crimetips@orleansda.com. Tipsters can include contact information if they desire or request anonymity. Crime tips also can be offered anonymously by calling the New Orleans Police Department (504-821-2222) or the Crimestoppers hotlines (504-822-1111 or 1-877-903-7867). In some instances, Crimestoppers tipsters can qualify for cash rewards…More Information about Anonymous Tips
Arrests
An arrest occurs when a person is taken into custody on suspicion of committing a criminal act. The offense a person is booked with by police is only an allegation. Police are not empowered to bring a formal criminal charge against an arrestee, only to recommend charges for consideration by the District Attorney. After a person is arrested, the state…More Information about Arrests
Attorneys
Attorneys employed by the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office are prosecutors representing the State of Louisiana. They cannot provide legal referrals or legal advice to criminal defendants or their families and associates. The Louisiana State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral hotline in the New Orleans area of 504-561-8828. The LSBA also provides an online membership directory that includes an…More Information about Attorneys
Bail Bonds
Bail is an amount of money placed as security with the court to assure that a person accused of a crime will return to court when needed. Setting bail is at the sole discretion of the judges and commissioners of Criminal District Court. A judge or commissioner may also place conditions upon the accused, or refuse their release because of…More Information about Bail Bonds
Child Support
The District Attorney’s Child Support Enforcement Division enforces child support orders issued from the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. For more information on child support issues, visit our Child Support Division page here.More Information about Child Support
Civil Court
Civil lawsuits and actions are litigated at the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. This is separate from the Criminal District Court where the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office prosecutes criminal cases. For more information on the Civil Court, visit its website here.More Information about Civil Court
Contractor Fraud
OPDA investigators assist the public with economic crimes such as instances of contractor fraud. Persons interested in reporting fraudulent contractor activity should print and complete the appropriate form linked below, then call (504) 822-2414 to make an appointment with an Economic Crimes investigator for a review of the complaint packet. To report instances of contractor fraud, use this form.More Information about Contractor Fraud
Court Records
Court records are managed and maintained by the office of Arthur Morrell, Clerk of Court for the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. The clerk’s offices are inside the courthouse in Suite 104 of the first floor and Suite 210 of the second floor. Magistrate court records can be accessed in the clerk’s first-floor office directly across from the magistrate courtroom.…More Information about Court Records
Criminal Complaints
Complaints of criminal activity in Orleans Parish should be reported to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) or, in some instances, to the Louisiana State Police (LSP). These are the chief law enforcement agencies with the resources and mandate to launch criminal investigations of crimes committed in New Orleans. The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office has its own dedicated staff…More Information about Criminal Complaints
Criminal Defendants
A person arrested and charged with a crime is the defendant in a criminal court case. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, either by their decision to plead guilty or by a verdict of guilty rendered by a judge or jury at the end of a trial. Criminal defendants have the right to hire a licensed attorney of their…More Information about Criminal Defendants