La. Code Civ. Proc. § Art. 4912
Possession or ownership of movable property; eviction proceedings; justice of the peace courts
Operative Text
Art. 4912. Possession or ownership of movable property; eviction proceedings; justice of the peace courts A.(1) A justice of the peace court shall, within its territorial jurisdiction, have jurisdiction, concurrent with the parish or district court, over suits for the possession or ownership of movable property not exceeding five thousand dollars in value and over suits by landowners or lessors for the eviction of occupants or tenants of leased residential premises, regardless of the amount of monthly or yearly rent or the rent for the unexpired term of the lease. (2) A judgment of ownership of a vehicle ordered by a justice of the peace court shall be recognized by the office of motor vehicles of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 of Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. (3) The provisions of this Paragraph shall also be applicable to suits for possession and ownership of a manufactured home, as defined by R.S. 9:1149.2, not exceeding five thousand dollars in value. B. A justice of the peace court shall also have jurisdiction over suits by landowners or lessors for the eviction of occupants or tenants of leased commercial premises and leased farmlands where the amount of the monthly rental does not exceed five thousand dollars per month, regardless of the amount of rent due or the rent for the unexpired term of the lease.
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4912 establishes that justice of the peace courts share jurisdiction with parish or district courts over certain property and eviction matters. For residential leases, a justice of the peace court can hear eviction cases brought by landowners or lessors regardless of the rent amount. For commercial premises and farmland, that same court can handle eviction suits only when the monthly rent does not exceed five thousand dollars. The article also covers ownership disputes over movable property and manufactured homes valued at five thousand dollars or less.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Art. 4912, Louisiana landowners and lessors have the option of filing residential eviction proceedings in a justice of the peace court rather than a parish or district court, which can offer a more accessible and local forum. For commercial or farmland leases, operators whose monthly rent does not exceed five thousand dollars may similarly use a justice of the peace court. Compliant operators generally keep accurate records of lease terms, rental amounts, and property valuations to confirm that a chosen court has proper jurisdiction before filing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Art. 4912 means that a tenant facing eviction in Louisiana may find their case heard in a justice of the peace court rather than a higher-level parish or district court, depending on the type of premises and rent amount involved. Residential tenants should be aware that this court has jurisdiction over their eviction regardless of how much rent is owed or remains on the lease. Tenants who have questions about whether a justice of the peace court is the proper venue for their case, or who want to understand their rights in such proceedings, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Art. 4912.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation