The general dockets are arranged in numerical order by docket number. Each page is divided into rectangular sections so that one docket entry appears in each section. At the head of each entry is the docket number and the names of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) in the case. Prior to 1854, in civil suits, the names of the attorneys for plaintiff and defendant are also given. In criminal cases, the plaintiff is always "State of Louisiana) and the charge is noted. Beneath the heading is a dated list of the actions taken in the suit (e.g., petitions, answers, orders, documents filed, copies made, record withdrawn, judgments, etc.), along with the court costs incurred for each action.

The docket books cover both 1st and 2nd series of suit records. Indexing is only available for Volumes 4 and 5, located at the beginning of each volume.