Welcome to Mayor's Court

Mandeville Mayor's Court is vested with jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic summonses, misdemeanor arrests and summonses for violations of the City of Mandeville Code of Ordinances issued by the Mandeville Police Department. A magistrate presides over court proceedings.

When and where is Mayor’s Court held?
Mayor's Court convenes for two days, Monday and Tuesday, the second full week of each month. If the Monday is a standard City of Mandeville holiday, court will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday of that week. See all court dates for the current year posted on this site. Mayor's Court is held at Mandeville City Hall, 3101 East Causeway Approach.

What proceedings occur on those days?
Arraignments are on Monday beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Trials are on the second day of court, beginning at 3:00 p.m.

What is an arraignment?
An arraignment is a person’s first appearance before the court to answer to a charge. At your arraignment, you will be required to enter a plea of either guilty, no contest, or not guilty to the court.

Are there additional proceedings which occur at the arraignment?
Yes. In many, if not most cases, a person charged with a traffic violation may qualify for diversion. Diversion is a policy adopted by the Mayor’s Court which allows a person’s fine to be reduced to a diversion fee of $150 and if the person does not receive another traffic violation in the City of Mandeville for three months, the ticket (violation) is nol prossed, that is it is dismissed as if it had never been issued.

What if I decide to plead not guilty at my arraignment?
A trial date will be assigned to you. You have the right to request all documents, reports recordings or the like which the city has in its possession regarding the violation for which you are charged. Should you request witnesses to be subpoenaed, you must notify the clerk and submit all information regarding the witnesses (name and address). If you are found guilty at your trial, in addition to any fine which the court may impose, you will also be responsible to pay an additional $50.00 for each police officer that was subpoenaed by the city.

What are the exceptions to the diversion policy or for person qualifying for diversion?
If a person had previously been offered diversion and received another ticket less than two years after that person was granted diversion the current offense will not qualify for diversion.

• If a person commits a school zone violation the diversion fee will be increased to $200.
• If a person is cited for speeding in excess of 20 mph over the speed zone, the violation will not qualify for diversion.

What if I receive a citation as a result of being involved in an accident?
Involvement in an accident does not disqualify a person from the diversion policy. However, before the court can entertain a plea bargain regarding the violation involving an accident, the defendant must first obtain a settlement letter from his/her insurance company indicating that all claims made by the other party have been settled.

What if I need additional time to pay my fine?
Arraignments can be made with the court’s clerk for a payment plan.

May I change my arraignment or trial date?
Yes, you may do so for good reason. If you find it necessary to do so, contact the court clerk for further instructions or you can discuss a trial date with the city prosecutor at your arraignment.

Appeals
If a defendant is found guilty of a violation, the defendant has a right to appeal the verdict to the 22^nd Judicial District Court. The appeal may be initiated by the defendant declaring in open court his/her intent to take an appeal after the magistrate announces a verdict of guilty. A second way a defendant may initiate an appeal from a guilty verdict is to submit in writing to the Clerk for the Mayor’s Court, the defendant’s intent to appeal the guilty verdict. This notification must be done no later than 30 days from the date of the guilty verdict. Upon notification of the intent to appeal, the Clerk for the Mayor’s Court shall prepare a copy of the defendant’s record and give it to the defendant. It shall be the defendant’s responsibility to process the appeal proceedings with the Criminal Division of the 22^nd Judicial District Clerk of Court.

2023 Court Dates  (Please call the Clerk of Court, Ms. Tammy Painter, if you are unsure of your court date):

January 9, 10                                          July 10, 11

February 13, 14                                       August 14, 15

March 13, 14                                           September 11, 12

April 10,  11                                             October 10, 11

May 8, 9                                                November 13, 14 

June 12, 13                                             December 11, 12

Tickets may be paid:

1.  In person at City Hall by cash, or check made payable to City of Mandeville, or credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, or Discover (2.5% convenience fee will be assessed.)
2. By mailing your check to City of Mandeville, 3101 E. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA  70448
3. Online: click here.
4. Please note that it takes two weeks for a ticket to make its way into the city system. Once in the system, the city court clerk will be able to assist you with additional information, and you will be able to pay the ticket.

By paying your ticket in full, you agree to the following:

• You are entering a plea of guilty to all violations on the ticket as shown.
• Your case will be paid in full and closed and your appearance in court will not be necessary.

Dress Code for Court

• Appropriate attire is mandatory for any appearance in court, whether as a participant in a case, a witness, or an observer.
• You will be barred from the Courtroom if you violate the Court Dress Code.
• You will not be allowed to enter the Courtroom wearing any of the following inappropriate clothing (this may result in an arrest warrant for failure to appear):

Shorts
Hats (men) or hair curlers (women)
Halter or tube top
T-shirt or Muscle shirt
See through top
Flip Flops (shoes must have backs)
Clothing that exposes your midriff or underwear
Ripped or Torn Jeans
Pants that fall below the waist
Shirts not tucked in (men)

Cell Phones and Recording Devices

• If you have a cell phone or pager, you must turn it off while Court is in session. The Judge will assess a $50.00 fine if your cell phone or pager goes off during Court.
• No texting while Court is in session.
• Recording of court proceedings is prohibited.

If you need further information, please call the Clerk of Court, 985-624-3102.