Operating under the Louisiana State Constitution Jefferson's CJS looks much like Orleans but is streamlined in some ways.

• Elected Criminal matters are handled by the 16 judges of the 24th District Court.
  
• D.A. Paul Connick prosecutes criminal cases.
• Civil matters are handled by the four elected judges of the 1st and 2nd Parish Courts (Eastbank and Westbank)
• The elected Clerk of Court, Jon Gegenheimer, handles both courts organizing evidence, juries, etc and also handles parish election corrdination.
• Elected Sheriff Harry Lee is the only parish wide police official. Incorporated municipalities within Jefferson, like Gretna, operate their own police forces.