The Louisiana Circuit Courts of Appeal are the intermediate appellate courts of Louisiana. They hear appeals from the Louisiana district courts (trial courts) and certain administrative agencies. There are five such circuits within the state, divided by geographical region: the First Circuit, located in Baton Rouge; the Second Circuit, located in Shreveport; the Third Circuit, located in Lake Charles; the Fourth Circuit, located in New Orleans; and the Fifth Circuit, located in Greta. Each circuit is composed of a panel of three judges who review the lower court’s decisions and render their own judgments. The circuit courts have jurisdiction over all civil and criminal appeals from the lower courts, as well as appeals from certain administrative agencies. Decisions of the circuit courts can be appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court.




