The 19th JDC has learned that there are a few scams that are being directed at residents of the East Baton Rouge community involving arrest warrants associated with either jury duty or failure to answer a subpoena.
Scammers, claiming to be a law enforcement officer or 19th Judicial District Court staff member, have been contacting citizens and demanding payment of money or verification of personal information in order for the subject of the scam to avoid arrest. Scammers have also been e-mailing citizens official-looking jury forms requesting personal information (phishing). Calls and e-mails such as these are scams. Such e-mails may contain computer viruses or malware, and these emails should be deleted without responding to them or clicking any links they contain.
If you have received an e-mail, text message, or phone call asking you to provide certain personal information or to send payment to avoid arrest or other penalty, it may be a scam.
The Court will NOT do any of the following:
1. The Court does not serve a warrant by telephone, e-mail or fax. Valid warrants will always be served IN PERSON by a law enforcement officer.
2. The Court does not call, e-mail, or send a fax to tell you a warrant has been issued.
3. The Court does not send or accept jury forms by e-mail. The Court's official forms may only be submitted by U.S. Mail or over the secure “eJuror” website.
4. The Court does not demand the payment of money in lieu of being arrested. The Court does not call and request payment via prepaid credit cards. Although the law does permit the Court to order fines and other penalties for failing to appear for jury service, this will only happen after an IN PERSON hearing before a judge.
5. The Court does not call, email, or send a fax requesting personal information such as a mother’s maiden name or bank account number.
6. The Court will not send emails which include a link to click ‘for more information’.
What to do if you receive a suspected scam e-mail, text message, or phone call?
To verify if a call or mailing came from the 19th Judicial District Court, please call our administrative office directly at (225)389-4744 or the Office of Jury Management at (225) 389-4778 during normal business hours to speak with a staff member.
If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud or have received a scam phone call, phishing e-mail, text message, or fax, contact your local police or sheriff's department.