Prosecution

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Juvenile

The Juvenile Division handles all matters involving youths from 10 to 16 years old.

Among the cases the division handles are juvenile traffic tickets, Family in Need of Services matters, Child in Need of Care matters, delinquency matters (any matter that would be a crime if the youth were an adult) and juvenile drug court. The Juvenile Division also has a Pretrial Intervention Program which allow offenders who meet certain criteria to avoid appearance in juvenile court by fulfilling certain conditions. The Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Division strives to ...
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Felony

A felony is any crime for which an offender may be sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor.

There are currently eight assistant district attorneys assigned to the Felony Division. They prosecute violent and nonviolent cases classified as offenses against the person, offenses against property, offenses affecting the family, offenses affecting public morals, offenses affecting the public generally and offenses affecting organized government. The District Attorney’s Office receives criminal reports of arrest and investigations from law enforcement agencies and decides whether to file formal criminal charges. In some instances, particularly when the crime is punishable ...
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Misdemeanor

In many, if not most, cases an individual's first and only brush with the criminal justice system will involve a misdemeanor offense.

Misdemeanors are any crimes for which the potential penalty is anything less than incarceration in a state operated correctional facility. Misdemeanor offenses cover a wide range of crimes, from shoplifting to assault to public disturbances to minor property crimes. The most common and most serious misdemeanor offenses involve impaired driving and domestic violence. It is the mission of the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, Misdemeanor Division to carefully weigh the particular needs and circumstances of the individual ...
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Traffic

The traffic department handles traffic citations issued by Louisiana State Police and the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office.

Our office receives around 2,500 tickets a month, or 30,000 tickets a year. We welcome phone calls and walk-ins. We are here to assist, and understand that everyone makes mistakes. Through the office’s Pretrial Intervention program, certain traffic violators can keep a moving violation off their driving record by completing the program....
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Worthless Check

The Rapides Parish District Attorney's Office maintains a Worthless Checks Division to aid merchants in the recovery of monies lost due to receiving worthless checks at their place of business.

When a merchant has received checks which lack sufficient funds or are otherwise non-collectible, they may contact the District Attorney’s Office for help in the collection of this debt. The merchant should bring the improperly issued check and be prepared to fill out various claim forms. Click here to downoad Vendor's form.  The defendant will be arrested and charged with issuing worthless checks. The District Attorney’s Office will work with the defendant to set up a payment schedule ...
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Pretrial Intervention

While some offenders pose a risk to citizens, in certain cases the community is best served by giving a nonviolent offender an opportunity to avoid conviction and incarceration. That second chance comes through the Pretrial Intervention Program.

Eligible defendants have an opportunity to enroll in and complete the program as an alternative to being charge and adjudicated. Participation is voluntary and not conditioned on pleading guilty. When a defendant enters the program, they sign an agreement tailored to them and their situation. The agreements feature achievable goals and are structured to help the defendant avoid behavior likely to lead to future arrests. Conditions may include restitution and community service. Upon successful completion of the ...
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court locations

Courts are on the 4th and 6th floors of the Rapides Parish Courthouse

News

District Attorney Phillip Terrell’s Office Convicts Eddie Ray Jackson in First Murder Trial Since Covid-19 Shut Down Jury Trials

Late Saturday afternoon, District Attorney Phillip Terrell’s office convicted Eddie Ray Jackson of killing James Melton in February 2017. A unanimous jury found the defendant guilty-as-charged of second degree murder and attempted armed robbery with a firearm. In response to the conviction, District Attorney Phillip Terrell stated, “This was a particularly brutal case perpetrated by a violent defendant who showed no remorse. I am happy that we were able to provide some much needed closure to the Melton family who stuck with our office throughout the prosecution of this case.” The case was prosecuted by Christopher Bowman and Johnny Giordano, Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorneys. The defendant will be sentenced on May 3rd. On that day, Judge Beard will give the defendant the automatic life sentence required by Louisiana law. Additionally, the defendant can receive a sentence of not less than 10 nor more than 54 and a half years on the Attempted Armed Robbery with a Firearm conviction.

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MESSAGE FROM PHILLIP TERRELL

Personal Message from District Attorney Phillip Terrell To The Citizens Of Rapides Parish In this time of national emergency and uncertainty, I want to assure each of you that my office will remain open and operating and is here to assist each of you. If any of you or your family members should encounter: 1) Price gouging; 2) Financial scams; or 3) Any other fraudulent activity related to the COVID-19 crisis; I have set up our office email, info@rapidesda.org, to serve as a hotline for you to report such activity. My office will immediately coordinate the appropriate response with the appropriate law enforcement agency be it Federal or State. Together as a community, and with God’s help, the good people of Rapides Parish will get through this. Please be courteous and respectful to everyone and let’s take care of each other. Fear Can Not Survive, Where Faith Exists. God Bless Phillip

COVID-19

District Attorney Phillip Terrell and his staff want the citizens of Rapides Parish to understand that during this crisis his office can be reached through following numbers: Main Office Number 318.473.6650 Main Office Fax Number 318.442.9276 IV-D Child Support Office 318.442.9200 IV-D Child Support Fax Number 318.442.9286 Victims Support Services 318.625.3392 Victim Support Services Fax Number 318.704.6077 The Office of the District Attorney can also be reached through our FaceBook Page at https://www.facebook.com/rapidesda and our web site at http://www.rapidesda.org

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