When authorized to do so by the sheriff, a constable of a justice of the peace court, or a constable or marshal of a city court, within the territorial jurisdiction of his court, may serve any process and execute any writ or mandate which the sheriff is authorized to serve or execute. For such purpose, the constable or marshal possesses the powers and authority of the sheriff; a service or execution so made has the same effect as if made by the sheriff; and the latter is responsible for the performance or nonperformance of his duties by a constable or marshal in such cases.
Art. 332.Service Or Execution By Constable Or Marshal
Title I. Courts · Chapter 6. Sheriffs · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 332 lets a constable of a justice of the peace court, or a constable or marshal of a city court, serve process and execute writs the sheriff is authorized to handle within that court's territorial jurisdiction when the sheriff authorizes it, with the same legal effect as if the sheriff had acted and with the sheriff answering for the outcome.
Full Text of Art. 332
Plain-English Summary
Justice of the peace courts and city courts have their own constables and marshals, distinct from the parish sheriff. Ordinarily, civil process and execution run through the sheriff, but Article 332 lets these local officers step in when the sheriff authorizes it, so long as the action stays within the territorial jurisdiction of the constable's or marshal's own court.
When a constable or marshal acts under that authorization, the law treats it as if the sheriff had done the work himself — the service or execution carries the same legal effect. The sheriff, in turn, remains responsible for the performance or nonperformance of the constable's or marshal's duties in these cases, the same accountability structure Article 331 sets up for deputies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a city court marshal serve a civil writ instead of the sheriff?
Yes, if the sheriff authorizes it and the marshal acts within the territorial jurisdiction of his own court.
Does service by a marshal or constable count the same as service by the sheriff?
Yes. Article 332 gives it the same legal effect as if the sheriff had made the service or execution himself.
Who is responsible if a constable or marshal mishandles service under this article?
The sheriff remains responsible for the performance or nonperformance of the constable's or marshal's duties in these cases.
Can a marshal serve papers anywhere in the parish?
No. Article 332 limits the marshal or constable to the territorial jurisdiction of his own court, and only with the sheriff's authorization.
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: constable marshal service of process louisianacity court marshal writ executionjustice of the peace constable service louisianala cpp article 332