CHILD ABUSE ISSUES:

If you are concerned about a child being abused or neglected, please contact the Office of Community Services 24-Hour Hotline. The numbers are (504) 361-6083 for the Jefferson Parish Westbank Office, (504) 736-7033 for the Jefferson Parish Eastbank Office, and (866) 514-8829 for Orleans Parish, including Algiers. If you have a question about a Child in Need of Care case currently being heard in this court, please contact the court at (504) 367-3500.

CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES:

Please note that Juvenile Court does not handle issues regarding custody unless this court has previously decided custody between a child’s parents. These cases are typically handled by the District Court, and you may need a lawyer to represent you in these proceedings. General information about the status of these cases can be obtained by contacting the Clerk of Court at (504) 364-3998.

VOLUNTARY TRANSFERS OF CUSTODY:

This court handles voluntary transfers of child custody from a parent to a non-parent, if a custody decree has not been issued by any other court. Please note the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court does not address transfers of custody between parents.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION:

Please note that while court representatives can provide general information about court proceedings, they cannot offer legal advice. If you need an attorney and cannot afford one, you may qualify for assistance from legal services. The legal service numbers are:

New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation: (504) 529-1000.
Loyola Law Clinic: (504) 861-5990.
New Orleans Pro Bono Project: (504) 581-4043
Legal Aid: (504) 523-2597.