Orleans Parish, LA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: No for the general public. Under Orleans Parish Judicial District Court En Banc Security Order, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt. NO. Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) bans public cell phones and has NO storage lockers at the security checkpoint. Sheriff deputies will not hold your phone. If you arrive by Uber, Lyft, or bus with a phone, you will be denied entry. Last checked
How sure is this? This page applies the statewide Louisiana court rule to Orleans Parish. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (504) 658-9100 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
⚠️ Rideshare & Transit Warning ("The Uber Trap")
Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) bans cell phones for general visitors AND has NO storage lockers at the entrance. Sheriff deputies will NOT hold your phone at the security checkpoint. If you arrive by Uber, Lyft, or bus without a parked car to lock your phone inside, you will be turned away at the door. Missing your court call can trigger a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans)
- Address
- 2700 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (504) 658-9100
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~1,300 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.lasc.org/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Orleans Parish Juror Parking Facility (New Orleans Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Orleans Parish Juror Garage in downtown New Orleans. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by New Orleans local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Orleans Parish)
Authority: Orleans Parish Judicial District Court En Banc Security Order · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (Louisiana); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | Orleans Parish Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt | “Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) Sheriff Security Order: "Cellular phones and electronic devices are prohibited inside the courthouse except for bar-certified attorneys and badged jurors. Deputies at the entrance cannot store personal items."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones banned · NO lockers at door | “Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) Sheriff Security Order: "Cellular phones and electronic devices are prohibited inside the courthouse except for bar-certified attorneys and badged jurors. Deputies at the entrance cannot store personal items."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | NO lockers — leave phone in vehicle | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · Orleans Parish Juror Parking Facility (New Orleans Judicial Garage) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Orleans Parish): "Jurors receive free validated parking at Orleans Parish Juror Parking Facility (New Orleans Judicial Garage). Bring your parking stub inside to the Jury Assembly Room for validation—do not park at 2-hour street meters."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) Sheriff Security Order: "Cellular phones and electronic devices are prohibited inside the courthouse except for bar-certified attorneys and badged jurors. Deputies at the entrance cannot store personal items."” |
| Security line wait times | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | “Courtroom Decorum Order (Orleans Parish): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint | “Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) Sheriff Security Order: "Cellular phones and electronic devices are prohibited inside the courthouse except for bar-certified attorneys and badged jurors. Deputies at the entrance cannot store personal items."” |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Orleans Parish
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 2700 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119 |
Banned for Public | No lockers | Validated free (Orleans Parish Juror Parking Facility (New Orleans Judicial Garage)) |
What to Know Before You Go to Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Orleans Parish are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
Litigants, defendants, and spectators are prohibited from bringing cell phones inside. Leave your phone, smartwatch, and AirPods locked inside your car out of sight. If you need text messages, photos, or insurance PDFs as courtroom evidence, print physical copies before arriving.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~10 minutes. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in Orleans Parish, LA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Orleans Parish, LA, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to Orleans Parish Courthouse in New Orleans, LA?
No for the general public. Under Orleans Parish Judicial District Court En Banc Security Order, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt.
Does Orleans Parish Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
NO. Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) bans public cell phones and has NO storage lockers at the security checkpoint. Sheriff deputies will not hold your phone. If you arrive by Uber, Lyft, or bus with a phone, you will be denied entry.
Where do I park for jury duty at Orleans Parish Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Orleans Parish Juror Parking Facility (New Orleans Judicial Garage). Park in the designated Orleans Parish Juror Garage in downtown New Orleans. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Orleans Parish Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Orleans Parish Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 10-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 20 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my Orleans Parish court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (504) 658-9100 or consult a local Orleans Parish traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- Louisiana jury duty pay & laws
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
Other County Courthouses in Louisiana
- East Baton Rouge Parish (Baton Rouge)
- Jefferson Parish (Gretna)
- Caddo Parish (Shreveport)
- St. Tammany Parish (Covington)
- Lafayette Parish (Lafayette)
- All 6 Louisiana counties →
Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at Orleans Parish Courthouse (New Orleans)? Submit a verified update.