Juvenile

The Opelousas City Court has jurisdiction with misdemeanor criminal cases involving persons under the age of 17 and with children that are in need of care and protection in the City of Opelousas and Ward 1 of St. Landry Parish.

All juvenile proceedings are confidential and closed to the public.

Keeping It R.E.A.L.

The “Keeping It R.E.A.L. (Responsible Education About Life) Project” is a life skills, prevention, and awareness educational program that utilizes a youth development curriculum to address prominent issues of our youth ages 13 – 18 such as self esteem, developing healthy boundaries and relationships, human sexuality and community responsibility to name a few. The Opelousas City Court offers first time juvenile offenders an opportunity to attend the “Keeping It R.E.A.L. Project” in place of pursuing filed charges.  The Court’s goal is to educate and inform youth about the realities of life and to also raise awareness and provide them with the tools useful for solving everyday issues.