Except as otherwise provided by law, a deputy sheriff possesses all of the powers and authority granted by law to the sheriff, and may perform any of the duties and exercise any of the functions of the sheriff. Deputy sheriffs and other employees of the sheriff are subject to his direction and supervision, and shall perform the duties assigned to them by law, and by the sheriff. The sheriff is responsible for the performance or nonperformance of their official duties by his deputies and other employees.
Art. 331.Deputy Sheriffs and Other Employees
Title I. Courts · Chapter 6. Sheriffs · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 331 gives deputy sheriffs, except where the law provides otherwise, all the powers and authority granted to the sheriff and lets them perform any of his duties, while placing deputies and other employees under the sheriff's direction and supervision and making the sheriff responsible for their official acts and failures to act.
Full Text of Art. 331
Plain-English Summary
A deputy sheriff acts as an extension of the sheriff's own office. Article 331 gives a deputy, except where the law provides otherwise, the same powers and authority the law grants the sheriff, and lets a deputy perform any of the sheriff's duties or exercise any of his functions — serving process, executing writs, and the rest of the work covered elsewhere in this chapter.
That authority comes with a chain of command. Deputies and other employees of the sheriff take direction and supervision from him and must perform the duties the law or the sheriff assigns. In exchange, Article 331 makes the sheriff responsible for the performance or nonperformance of their official duties, so the public and litigants have one accountable office rather than needing to track down which individual deputy fell short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deputy sheriff execute a writ or serve papers just like the sheriff?
Yes. Article 331 gives a deputy the same powers and authority the law gives the sheriff, except where the law provides otherwise.
Who is responsible if a deputy fails to properly serve papers or execute a writ?
The sheriff, who is responsible under Article 331 for the performance or nonperformance of his deputies' and employees' official duties.
Does a deputy sheriff answer to the sheriff or act on his own?
Deputies and other employees are subject to the sheriff's direction and supervision and must perform the duties assigned to them by law and by the sheriff.
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: deputy sheriff powers louisianasheriff liability for deputy actionssheriff employees direction and supervisionla cpp article 331