The sheriff shall make a return to the issuing court on citations, summons, subpoenas, notices, and other process, and on writs, mandates, orders, and judgments, showing the date on which and the manner in which they were served or executed.
Art. 324.Returns On Process Served, and Writs and Judgments Executed
Title I. Courts · Chapter 6. Sheriffs · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 324 requires the sheriff to make a return to the issuing court on every citation, summons, subpoena, or other process served and every writ, mandate, order, or judgment executed, stating the date and the manner in which the service or execution took place.
Full Text of Art. 324
Plain-English Summary
A "return" is the sheriff's written report back to the court confirming what happened after papers went out or a writ was carried out. Article 324 requires that report for both categories of the sheriff's work: process he served (citations, summonses, subpoenas, and other notices) and writs, mandates, orders, and judgments he executed.
The return has to state the date and the manner of service or execution, not just that it occurred. That detail matters because the return becomes part of the official court record — the document a party, opposing counsel, or an appellate court can rely on later to confirm that service was proper and timely, without needing the sheriff to testify about it directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "return" in this context?
It is the sheriff's written report to the issuing court, confirming the date and manner in which process was served or a writ, mandate, order, or judgment was executed.
Why does the return matter to a case?
It creates the official record of service or execution that the court and the parties can rely on, without requiring live testimony from the sheriff about what happened.
Does the return have to say exactly how service was made?
Yes. Article 324 requires the return to show both the date and the manner in which the process was served or the writ was executed.
Does Article 324 apply to writs and judgments, or only to service of papers?
Both. The sheriff must make a return on process served and on writs, mandates, orders, and judgments he executes.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: sheriff return of service louisianaproof of service civil procedure louisianasheriff return on writ executionla cpp article 324