St. Tammany Parish, LA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)

Phones Banned · NO Lockers Free Validated Juror Parking Security Wait: ~10m Peak State-rule baseline · call to confirm

Short answer: No for the general public. Under St. Tammany Parish Judicial District Court En Banc Security Order, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt. NO. St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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 2026-11-04

How sure is this? This page applies the statewide Louisiana court rule to St. Tammany Parish. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (985) 809-8700 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.

⚠️ Rideshare & Transit Warning ("The Uber Trap")

St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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: St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington)
Address: 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
Clerk / Security Phone: (985) 809-8700
Est. Foot Traffic: ~984 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: St. Tammany Parish Juror Parking Facility (Covington Judicial Garage)
How to Validate: Park in the designated St. Tammany Parish Juror Garage in downtown Covington. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Public Transit: Served by Covington 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 (St. Tammany Parish)

Authority: St. Tammany Parish Judicial District Court En Banc Security Order · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (Louisiana); building-level check pending

Rule / Amenity	St. Tammany Parish Policy	Official Directive & Verification Quote
Cell phone policy	Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt	“St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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	“St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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 (St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington)): "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 (St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington)): "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 · St. Tammany Parish Juror Parking Facility (Covington Judicial Garage)	“Jury Summons Instructions (St. Tammany Parish): "Jurors receive free validated parking at St. Tammany Parish Juror Parking Facility (Covington 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	“St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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 (St. Tammany 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	“St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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 St. Tammany Parish

Courthouse / Branch Building	Cell Phone Policy	Phone Lockers	Juror & Visitor Parking
St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433	Banned for Public	No lockers	Validated free (St. Tammany Parish Juror Parking Facility (Covington Judicial Garage))

What to Know Before You Go to St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington)

📱 If You Have Jury Duty

Summoned jurors in St. Tammany 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.

Going to Court Without a Lawyer?

Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in St. Tammany Parish, LA

If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in St. Tammany 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my cell phone to St. Tammany Parish Courthouse in Covington, LA?

No for the general public. Under St. Tammany Parish Judicial District Court En Banc Security Order, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt.

Does St. Tammany Parish Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?

NO. St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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 St. Tammany Parish Courthouse and is it free?

Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at St. Tammany Parish Juror Parking Facility (Covington Judicial Garage). Park in the designated St. Tammany Parish Juror Garage in downtown Covington. 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 St. Tammany Parish Jury Duty?

Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the St. Tammany Parish Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.

How long is the security line at St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington) 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 St. Tammany 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 (985) 809-8700 or consult a local St. Tammany Parish traffic/defense attorney immediately.

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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 St. Tammany Parish Courthouse (Covington)? Submit a verified update.