Divisions
Criminal Prosecution
The District Attorney’s Office continues to actively fight against crime through criminal prosecution. Our staff of Assistant District Attorneys have many years of experience in crime prosecution. They are under the direction and supervision of the District Attorney who is always ultimately responsible for decisions involving the prosecution of major offenders.
Victim’s Rights
Lafourche Parish District Attorney Kristine Russell recognizes that psychological harm caused by crime may be prolonged, heightened, or re-triggered as a result of a legal proceeding. Consequently, the position of Director of Victims Services and a team of professionals was developed to provide victim focused intervention to decrease stress and other psychological trauma victims may experience.
Victim Services is committed to ensuring the full implementation of victims’ rights, providing a secure, supportive environment where victims have complete access to notification, advocacy and education, as well as providing support to victims without regard to age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
Victim Services is dedicated to aiding victims and their family members as they move through the criminal justice system; ensuring that all victims of crime are treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect.
Pre-Trial Intervention
The Pre-Trial Intervention Program (PTI) offers first time offenders an alternative to jail. Those who qualify could be required to do community service work and pay restitution, as well as participate in educational and rehabilitative programs. The program is also designed to discourage future criminal or disorderly behavior.
An eligible first time offender is selected following a review of pending charges by District Attorney staff. After all facts are obtained and a more in depth review of the offender’s criminal history is conducted, a letter scheduling an appointment with the PTI Coordinator is sent to the offender.
Tickets
When receiving a Traffic Citation or Wildlife Citation, payments can be paid in person at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at 200 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, LA 70301.
Citations can also be paid by mail by sending a money order or cashier’s check for payment in full – PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH. Mail to: LAFOURCHE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302.
Credit card payments ARE accepted. Make payments out to the LAFOURCHE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
If you are unable to pay in full, please contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office to see about being placed on a scheduled payment plan.
Worthless Checks
The Worthless Check Program is designed to assist victims in collecting money rightfully owed them by individuals who write worthless checks. A special investigator is assigned to locate those individuals that write bad checks. This is an efficient and effective means to secure convictions and obtain restitution on behalf of Lafourche Parish victims.
Only NSF or Account Closed checks are accepted from citizens or merchants for prosecution. The District Attorney’s Office will mail a certified letter on behalf of the aggrieved party giving the check writer ten (10) days to pay the amount owed. If payment is not made after the ten (10) day notice, a deputy will issue a citation for a court appearance. If the deputy is unable to locate the check writer, an arrest warrant is issued.
Sexual Abuse Cases
The District Attorney’s Office works closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lafourche to prosecute those who victimize children. An Assistant District Attorney who specializes in prosecution of sexual abuse cases is assigned to all of these cases
Civil Division
The Lafourche Parish District Attorney is the statutory legal advisor for the Parish and the Parish’s various boards and commissions. We issue opinions and provide general legal guidance to these entities. In addition, the District Attorney’s Office hosts state mandated annual ethics trainings. We also host open meetings, public bid law and public records trainings for public officials and board/commission members. Each new term, the District Attorney hosts a general public law and Lafourche Parish Home Rule Charter training for the newly elected Parish President and Parish Council members.
Juvenile Division
The District Attorney’s Office utilizes the Juvenile Pre-Trial Intervention Program (PTI) to discourage future criminal activity and disorderly behavior. The District Attorney’s Truancy Enforcement program (D.A.T.E.) is to curb truancy in Lafourche schools. This program is conducted in conjunction with the Lafourche Parish School Board, the Families in Need of Services Program (FINS), and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office also has several school programs to help educate Lafourche students about safety, good decision making and the legal consequences of poor decisions (See Community Outreach for more information).
If you have any questions regarding these programs, please contact the Juvenile Division at: (985) 447-2003.
Curfew
Sunday – Thursday:
10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Friday – Saturday:
11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Drug Court
As we all know, drug dealing and drug dependency account for the commission of many violent crimes including robberies, thefts, and murders. Those persons responsible for dealing drugs must be held accountable. The District Attorney’s office continues to prosecute those criminals who deal drugs in Lafourche Parish.
For those who commit non-violent (non-distribution) drug offenses and who otherwise meet the established criteria, participation in the Drug Court program offers an alternative to incarceration. The District Attorney’s office screens cases, conducts background checks, and makes recommendations regarding a person’s eligibility to the Drug Court Judge. Those offenders that are accepted into the program must successfully complete an intensive treatment program. Licensed counselors work with the participants throughout the program. Statistics show that those persons who successfully complete the Drug Court program have a less than 2% chance of committing drug related crimes.
Child Support
The Lafourche Parish Child Support Enforcement Program is a partnership with the State of Louisiana to collect child support. We want to send the strongest possible message that parents cannot walk away from their children. Our goals are to ensure that children have the financial support of both their parents, to foster responsible behavior towards children, to emphasize that children need to have both parents involved in their lives, and to reduce social costs of non-support.
Our program provides the following services: locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, establishing and enforcing support orders, modifying orders when appropriate, and collecting and distributing child support payments. Our services are available to all parents and caregivers.
We believe that child support enforcement not only provides support to the children of Lafourche Parish, but also hope for a brighter future.
You can apply for Child Support and/or paternity services through the Department of Children and Family Services. Applications can also be done online at www.dcfs.la.gov
Any questions, please contact our Child Support Division at 985-448-3422
Payment Methods
In person at the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Child Support Office, 103 Maronge Street Suite B, Thibodaux, LA 70301, or on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s South Lafourche office, 131 East 91st Street, Cut Off, La. 70345. Money order or cashier’s check is the only form of payment accepted.
Payments can also be made using MoneyGram at the following locations:
- Walmart
- CVS
- Advance America
- Ace Cash Express
- Albertson’s
Payments can also be made online with a credit card or debit card at www.dcfs.la.gov/CAFE . You will need your LASES# and the Receive Code is 14695. There is a convenience fee of $3.99.
If you would like to check your case account, you may call 1-888-LA-HELPU or visit the website at www.dcfs.la.gov