With the creation of the system of parish government in Louisiana in 1807 the "administrative functions were vested in a body comprised of the parish judge, the justices of the peace, and a jury of twelve inhabitants appointed by [the judge]." Following statehood the Legislature, by act of March 25, 1813, provided that each parish be divided into wards, with each ward to elect a representative to serve a two-year term on the Police Jury. The juries were to meet in July of each year at the parish seat, with the parish judge as president and the justices of the peace as his associates. Police Juries were empowered to regulate a wide range of activities, from police of the slaves to the building of roads and bridges and the levy of taxes in support of such public works.

An act of March 28, 1840 separated the right bank of the river from the authority of the Jury, creating a new Police Jury of the Parish of Orleans on the right bank of the River Mississippi. The act divided the area into five districts each of which was to elect a member of the Jury. The Justice of the Peace for the area was to serve as ex-officio president of the body. All members were required to give bond for the faithful performance of their duties. The Jury had the power to appoint a Treasurer, to levee taxes on real and personal property, as well as on ships, woodyards, bakeries, taverns, and other establishments. It was to meet once a month and all of its regulations were to be transcribed into a record book. The Jury governed the Right Bank of Orleans Parish until 1870 when the area was incorporated into the City of New Orleans as the Fifth Municipal District, known locally as Algiers.