Pay your $40.00 Application fee online, by phone or by mail:
NOTE: There is a service fee for processing payment (s) online or over the phone. The total charge amount will be displayed prior to submitting the payment.
Online:
By Phone: To make a payment by phone, please call (985) 235-4919, Bilingual Call Center (English/Spanish); Monday - Friday, between 7am - 7pm; and Saturday-Sunday, 9am-1pm (CST).
By Mail: Submit a $40.00 money order to the 40th Judicial District Public Defender Office, 75 Dominican Rd, Suite 202, Laplace, LA 70068
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE
COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS IN THE 40TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Application Information for
DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON BAIL
If you want the services of an attorney, and do not want to represent yourself, you should have a lawyer with you at each court appearance starting with your arraignment (where you enter a guilty or not-guilty plea).
If you have a job or the money to hire a lawyer, you will need to do that before your next court appearance.
If you are indigent (needy) or live on a low, fixed income, you may apply at the
St. John the Baptist Public Defender Office for the services of a lawyer paid for by public funds.
Federal poverty guidelines are considered in determining eligibility.
After you pay your $40.00 application fee online, by phone or mail and complete the online application for the services of a public defender, you may still be required to hire your own lawyer or may be ordered to pay for the services of the appointed lawyer once your application is reviewed.