Source: http://www.lasc.org/rules/dist.ct/titleI.asp
Timestamp: 2017-02-26 16:44:36
Document Index: 727474582

Matched Legal Cases: ['§5', 'art. 865', 'art. 863', 'art. 929', 'art. 966', 'art. 966', 'art. 5059', 'art. 253', 'art. 193', 'art. 5', '§ 17', 'art. 191', 'art. 253', 'art. 253', 'art. 1561', '§1', 'art. 253', 'art. 5', '§ 5', 'art. 284', 'art. 253', 'art. 372', 'art. 333', 'art. 5183', 'art. 5181']

Includes Amendments through May 18, 2016
(Amendments effective July 1, 2016)
Chapter 1 Construction, Application and Amendment
Rule 1.0 Construction of Rules and Appendices
Rule 1.1 Application of Rules and Appendices; Citation Form
Rule 1.2 Effective Date
Rule 1.3 Amendment of Rules and Updating Appendices
Rule 1.4 Deviations from Rules
Rule 1.5 Computation of Time
Chapter 2 Dates of Court
Rule 2.0 Dates of Court
Chapter 3 Judges and Facsimile Transmissions to the Court
Rule 3.0 Office Hours
Rule 3.1 Divisions or Sections of Court
Rule 3.2 Duty Judges
Rule 3.3 Facsimile Transmissions to Judges
Rule 3.4 Use of Electronic Signatures by Judges
Chapter 4 Court Personnel
Rule 4.0 Court Reporters
Rule 4.1 Judicial Administrators
Chapter 5 Courtroom Use, Accessibility and Security
Rule 5.0 Courtroom Use
Rule 5.1 Accessibility to Judicial Proceedings
Rule 5.2 Courtroom Security
Chapter 6 Courtroom Decorum and the Conduct of Attorneys and Judges
Rule 6.0 The Opening of Court
Rule 6.1 General Courtroom Conduct
Rule 6.2 Attorney Conduct
Rule 6.3 Code of Professionalism in the Courts
Rule 6.4 District Court Standards
Chapter 7 Record Management
Rule 7.0 Record Management
Chapter 8 Indigents and In Forma Pauperis Rule 8.0 In Forma Pauperis Affidavit
Rule 8.1 Traversal of In Forma Pauperis Status
Rule 8.2 No Recommendation from Clerk of Court Required
CHAPTER 1 CONSTRUCTION, APPLICATION, AND AMENDMENT
These Rules and Appendices are intended to govern interaction between the courts, counsel, and litigants, and to ensure the administration of justice in an efficient and effective manner.
Administrative rules governing internal operating procedures of individual courts on topics not otherwise covered by these Rules may be adopted by en banc order of the court.
Such administrative rules shall be made available to the public by filing a copy with the Judicial Council of the Supreme Court and by filing a copy with the clerk of court for the appropriate parish or parishes.
Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002. Amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010. Comments
(a) The Louisiana Supreme Court has constitutional authority to promulgate these Rules under La. Const. art. V,
§5. These Rules are intended to supplement the Codes of Civil and Criminal Procedure. Therefore, a conflict between a Rule and legislation should be resolved by following the legislation.
(b) The Appendices are subordinate to the Rules. Therefore, a conflict between a Rule and an Appendix should be resolved by following the Rule. The information in the Appendices was provided by the various judicial districts and may be revised in accordance with the procedure found in Rule 1.3(c).
(c) Previous district court rules adopted by individual judicial districts often included various rules that duplicated the Code of Civil Procedure and applicable Revised Statutes. No provisions restating existing law have been included in these Rules. The citations to authorities for deleted topics are as follows:
(1) Construction of Pleadings ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 865.
(2) Form of Pleadings ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 853, 854 and 862.
(3) Signing Pleadings ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 863.
(4) Exceptions and Motions ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 852-54, 862, 865, 921-24, and 962.
(5) Time of trial of exceptions ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 929.
(6) Curators ad hoc ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 5091‑5098; La. R.S. 13:3421-3445; and La. Civ. Code arts. 47-53.
(7) Motions for summary judgment ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 966 and 967.
(a) Title I and Appendices 2.0 through 8.0 apply to all proceedings in district courts, family courts, and juvenile courts.
(b) Title II and Appendices 9.3 through 9.14 apply to all civil proceedings in district courts, except for juvenile proceedings, and as otherwise limited within these Rules. (c) Title III and Appendices 14.0A through 19.0 apply to criminal proceedings in all district courts.
(d) Title IV applies to all Louisiana family law proceedings in district courts and in the Family Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge.
(e) Title V applies to all juvenile proceedings in district courts and in juvenile courts for the Parishes of East Baton Rouge, Orleans, Jefferson, and Caddo.
(f) Title VI applies to all litigation filed by inmates in district courts.
(g) Titles I through IV and Title VI of these Rules shall be known as the "Louisiana District Court Rules" and may be officially cited: La. Dist. Ct. R. ____. The Appendices to these Rules may be officially cited: La. Dist. Ct. R.____, App. ____.
(h) Title V of these Rules shall be known as the "Louisiana Juvenile Court Rules" and may be officially cited: La. Juv. Ct. R.____. The Appendices to Title V may be officially cited: La. Juv. Ct. R. ____ , App. ____.
Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended June 2, 2003, effective July 1, 2003; amended November 3, 2008, effective January 1, 2009; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010; amended April 20, 2010, effective June 1, 2010; amended November 21, 2011, effective January 1, 2012; amended April 29,2014, effective June 1, 2014; amended October 7, 2015, effective January 1, 2016.
The full citation of the Rules for use in Tables of Authorities shall be as follows:
La. Dist. Ct. R. 1.0, La. R.S. Title 13, Vol. 8 (West 20XX and Supp. 20XX).
Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended June 2, 2003, effective July 1, 2003. Rule 1.3 Amendment of Rules and Updating Appendices
(a)	Proposed rules or amendments to existing Louisiana Rules for District Courts shall be approved by the Supreme Court. Proposed amendments may be submitted by any Louisiana judge or licensed member of the Louisiana bar to the Office of the Judicial Administrator of the Supreme Court.
(b)	Amendments to the information contained in the Appendices to the Louisiana Rules for District Courts shall be made by Court Order attached to the Appendix Amendment Form (Appendix 1.3) and submitted to the Office of the Judicial Administrator of the Supreme Court within thirty days of the signing of the Order. The Office of the Judicial Administrator of the Supreme Court shall update the Appendices annually by communication with the chief judge and the clerk of court for each judicial district, family court, or juvenile court.
(c)	The Rules and Appendices shall be published annually by West Publishing Company and shall be available on the official website of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended November 3, 2004, effective January 1, 2005; amended November 3, 2008, effective January 1, 2009; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010; amended April 20, 2010, effective June 1, 2010; amended May 18, 2016, effective July 1, 2016.
Amendments to the appendices shall be posted to the Louisiana Supreme Court website as close as possible to the effective date of the amendment.
The following rules apply in computing any period of time specified in these Rules provided they do not conflict with legislation :
(a) Exclude the day of the act, event, or default that begins the period.
(b) Exclude intermediate legal holidays when the period is fewer than seven days, unless the period is stated in calendar days.
(c) Include the last day of the period, unless the last day is a legal holiday, in which case the period runs until the end of the next day that is not a legal holiday. See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 966, as amended by House Bill No. 696 of the Louisiana Legislature’s 2015 Regular Session, which shall govern the computing times on motions for summary judgment effective January 1, 2016. For example :
(i) When a rule requires an act be done ten days before an event, and the tenth day falls on a Sunday, the act shall be done no later than the preceding Friday (assuming Friday is not a legal holiday). This does not apply to motions for summary judgment – see La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 966.
(ii) When a rule requires an act be done ten days after an event, and the tenth day falls on a Sunday, the act shall be done no later than the following Monday (assuming Monday is not a legal holiday).
Adopted June 2, 2003, effective July 1, 2003; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010; amended October 7, 2015, effective January 1, 2016.
(a) To determine whether a day is a legal holiday, refer to La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 5059 and La. R.S. 1:55.
(b) Computation example for cases in which a Rule requires an act be done after an event: Rule 17.5 requires that a minute entry be sent to the judge, the clerk of the court of limited jurisdiction, and the parties or their counsel of record within fifteen days after the reviewing court renders judgment. If the district court rendered judgment on the appeal on Tuesday, December 10, 2002, the deadline for sending the notice of judgment is Thursday, December 26, 2002 because Wednesday, December 25 is a legal holiday.
(c) Computation example for cases in which a Rule requires an act be done before an event: Rule 9.9(b) requires any opposition memorandum be filed "at least eight calendar days before the scheduled hearing." If you wish to oppose an exception or motion that is set for hearing on Monday, December 16, 2002, the deadline for filing and serving an opposition memorandum is Friday, December 6, 2002 because Sunday, December 8, 2002 is a legal holiday.
(d) This Rule governs only the computation of time under these Rules. This Rule is not intended to apply to computation of time under any legislation or any other law.
Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended November 3, 2004, effective January 1, 2005; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010. Comments
(a) See La. R.S. 1:55 for a listing of legal holidays.
(b) See 2004 amendment to La. R.S. 1:55(E)(1)(b) which, by reference to La. R.S.1:55(B)(1)(a), adds Mardi Gras Day and General Election Day as legal holidays.
Courts may, by en banc order, divide into divisions or sections for the purpose of allotting matters within the court's jurisdiction. Those courts that have done so, and their respective methods for assigning judges to divisions or sections, are indicated in Appendix 3.1.
Each judicial district or court may designate one or more of its members to act as a duty judge. In civil proceedings, the duties assigned to a duty judge shall comply with La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 253.3. The identity of each duty judge shall be prominently displayed in a manner deemed appropriate by the court. If the court chooses to use multiple duty judges to perform various functions, the delineation of each duty judge's duties shall also be prominently displayed. The length of term and duties of the duty judge shall be at the sole discretion of the judges in each judicial district or court sitting en banc. For those judicial districts or courts that have designated duty judges, the office hours for performance of his or her duties, and the duties assigned, are listed in Appendix 3.2.
(a) Previous rules of court adopted by individual judicial districts often included various rules dealing with judges, such as selection of a chief judge; courts sitting en banc; duties and powers of judges; duty judges; random allotment; recusal, transfer, and consolidation; accessibility; and judicial accounts. Many of those rules duplicated articles of the Louisiana Constitution, applicable Revised Statutes, or Supreme Court of Louisiana decisions. Furthermore, many of those rules dealt with the internal administration of the court rather than with the interaction of counsel and litigants with the judicial process. No provisions restating existing law have been included in these Rules. The citations to authority for the deleted topics are as follows:
(1) The Court En Banc- La. R.S. 13:472; La. R.S. 13:474; La. R.S. 13:991- 999; La. R.S. 13:1221; La. R.S. 13:1312; La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 193.
(2) Chief Judge - La. Const. art. 5, § 17.
(3) Duties and Powers of Judges - La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 191; La. R.S. 13:501.
(4) Random Allotment - State v. Sprint Communications Co., L.P., 96-3094 (La. 9/9/97); 699 So.2d 1058; La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 253.1.
(5) Recusal - La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 151-158, 161.
(6) Transfer of Actions - Sprint, supra; La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 253.2.
(7) Consolidation of Actions - La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1561.
(8) Cumulation of Actions - La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 461, et seq.
(b) The constitutional implications of the decision in Sprint, supra, regarding random allotment of cases affect a court's ability to appoint duty judges and, more importantly, the designation of duties to such judges. Act 24,
§1 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 2000 Legislature enacted La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 253.3, effective June 6, 2000, which clarifies the matters that a duty judge may hear. The Louisiana Constitution and Code of Criminal Procedure govern the appointment of duty judges in criminal proceedings.
(c) Previous rules adopted by individual courts often included various provisions regarding quasi-judicial officers. Many of those rules duplicated applicable revised statutes or code articles. No provisions restating existing law have been included in these Rules. The citations to authority for the deleted topics are as follows:
(1) Judges Ad Hoc - La. Const. art. 5, §§ 5(A), 22(B); La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 157, 158, and 161.
(2) Magistrate Commissioners - La. R.S. 13:713.
(3) The clerk of court acting as justice of the peace - La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 284.
(4) Court-Appointed Special Masters - La. R.S. 13:4165.
(d) See La. R.S. 13:501 regarding sessions of court.
(e) The constitutional implications of the decision in State v. Sprint Communications Co., L.P., 96-3094 (La. 9/9/97); 699 So.2d 1058, regarding random allotment of cases, affect a court's ability to appoint duty judges and, more importantly, the designation of duties to such judges. Act 24 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 2000 Legislature enacted La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 253.3 to clarify the matters that may be heard by a duty judge.
Any document sent to a judge by facsimile transmission shall not exceed fifteen pages, unless the judge has granted permission for a longer transmission. Before sending a facsimile transmission in excess of fifteen pages, an attorney or party sending such facsimile transmission must contact the court for permission.
Adopted October 29, 2003, effective January 4, 2004; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010; amended April 20, 2010, effective June 1, 2010. Comment
La. R.S. 13:850 allows for facsimile filings and lists the requirements for such filings.
Rule 3.4	Use of Electronic Signatures by Judges
See Appendix 3.4 for courts enacting rules related to a judge, justice, or other presiding officer’s electronic signature pursuant to La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 253, 1911, or other applicable law.
Adopted October 7, 2015, effective January 1, 2016.
Comment See Attorney General Opinion 14-0187 (“Act 606 of the 2014 Regular Session authorizes judges to use electronic signatures when signing court orders, notices, official court documents, and other writings to be executed in connection with both civil and criminal proceedings, subject to the adoption of court rules establishing the method and ensuring the authenticity of such signatures”). CHAPTER 4 COURT PERSONNEL
The court en banc may appoint and fix the salary of a judicial administrator to assist the court in fulfilling its administrative obligations. Those judicial districts that have appointed an administrator are listed in Appendix 4.1.
Websites for district courts and clerks of court, where available, are also listed in Appendix 4.1. Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended November 3, 2008, effective January 1, 2009; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010; amended April 20, 2010, effective June 1, 2010.
(a) Previous rules of court adopted by individual judicial districts often included various rules dealing with court reporters, court criers, and bailiffs. Many of those rules duplicated revised statutes or code articles.
(b) No provisions restating existing law have been included in these Rules. The citations to authority for the deleted topics are as follows:
(1) Court Reporters ‑ La. R.S. 13:961, 982; La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 372.
(2) Criers ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 333.
(3) Docket and Minute Books ‑ La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 254 and 256.
(4) Costs of transcription, maximum and minimum court reporter fees ‑ La. R.S. 13:961, et seq.
CHAPTER 5 COURTROOM USE, ACCESSIBILITY, AND SECURITY
(a) The facilities, services, and programs of the court shall be readily accessible to persons with disabilities. Attached as Appendix 5.1A is a form that may be used to request reasonable accommodations extended under the ADA. Attached as Appendix 5.1B is a form that may be used to request an interpreter. Attached as Appendix 5.1C is a form that may be used as an interpreter's oath. (b) In addition to the above requirements, courts having fifty or more employees shall develop, promulgate, and maintain a problem-resolution process and designate a responsible court officer or employee to coordinate access to court programs and services by persons with disabilities and to resolve complaints regarding lack of access for such persons.
The bailiff shall open each session of court with an appropriate recitation and order, such as the following:
AOyez, Oyez, Oyez, Section (or Division) _____, the Honorable _________ Judicial District Court (or other court) of the State of Louisiana, in and for the Parish of __________, is now in session. The Honorable Judge _______ presiding. Order and silence are commanded. God save the State and this Honorable Court.
(a) No person may engage in any conduct that would be disruptive to the business of the court, including the following:
(1) Using tobacco in any form at any time.
(2) Reading newspapers while court is in session.
(3) Displaying any political advertisement of any nature.
(b) Attorneys, as officers of the court, shall help to maintain the dignity of the court. Male attorneys and clerks of court shall wear coats and ties in the courtroom. Female attorneys and clerks of court shall wear a comparable level of attire.
(c) No one may wear a hat or be barefoot in the courtroom. Witnesses and spectators shall appear neat and clean, within the limits of propriety. The court will make allowances for those who shall appear in work clothes and for those whose attire is dictated by their religion.
(d) No one is allowed inside the rail except for attorneys, litigants, officers of the court, and anyone else that the court specifically authorizes.
(e) A judge should prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or the taking of photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto, at least during sessions of court or recesses between sessions. See Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 3A(9).
(f) A judge may prohibit the use of electronic devices, including cellular telephones and recording devices, in a courtroom.
(a) Any attorney who tenders himself or herself before the court and represents that he or she is duly authorized to practice law, but who has been declared ineligible, suspended, or disbarred from practice before the courts of this State, shall be subject to contempt proceedings.
(b) No one may represent a party in any proceeding except counsel of record, unless allowed to do so by law.
(c) When an attorney is interested in two or more matters fixed for hearing in different sections or divisions of court on the same day, that attorney shall notify the minute clerk of the section or sections from which he or she expects to be temporarily absent as to his or her presence in another court.
(d) As a general rule, attorneys desiring to address the court while it is in session shall do so while standing. Unless directed otherwise by the judge, all judgments, orders, decrees, or other documents shall be handed to the clerk, who shall hand them to the judge.
(e) Private conversation or conference between attorneys or others in attendance during any court session should not be disruptive to the proceedings.
(f) Attorneys shall address all remarks, objections, and comments to the judge, never to opposing counsel. Impromptu argument or discussion between counsel will not be permitted.
(g) Except with leave of court obtained, only one attorney for each party shall examine any one witness.
(h) Counsel may not approach the witness in the witness chair without first obtaining the court's permission.
(i) Before showing an exhibit to a witness, counsel shall first either show opposing counsel the exhibit or provide opposing counsel with a copy of the exhibit.
(j) Counsel and parties to any litigation shall not send the court copies of correspondence between them.
(k) Attorneys shall abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct and should abide by the Louisiana Code of Professionalism, the latter of which is set forth below:
The Louisiana Code of Professionalism
1. My word is my bond. I will never intentionally mislead the court or other counsel. I will not knowingly make statements of fact or law that are untrue.
2. I will clearly identify for other counsel changes I have made in documents submitted to me.
3. I will conduct myself with dignity, civility, courtesy and a sense of fair play.
4. I will not abuse or misuse the law, its procedures or the participants in the judicial process.
5. I will consult with other counsel whenever the scheduling procedures are required and will be cooperative in scheduling discovery, hearings, the testimony of witnesses and in the handling of the entire course of any legal matter.
6. I will not file or oppose pleadings, conduct discovery or utilize any course of conduct for the purpose of undue delay or harassment of any other counsel or party. I will allow counsel fair opportunity to respond and will grant reasonable requests for extensions of time.
7. I will not engage in personal attacks on other counsel or the court. I will support my profession's efforts to enforce its disciplinary rules and will not make unfounded allegations of unethical conduct about other counsel.
8. I will not use the threat of sanctions as a litigation tactic.
9. I will cooperate with counsel and the court to reduce the costs of litigation and will readily stipulate to all matters not in dispute.
10. I will be punctual in my communication with clients, other counsel, the court, and in honoring scheduled appearances.
(a) The Louisiana Code of Professionalism was authored by the Professionalism and Quality of Life Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association in 1991. It was adopted by the Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates and approved by the Supreme Court of Louisiana in January 1992.
(b) Rule 6.2(j) is not intended to prohibit attaching correspondence between counsel to a pleading where appropriate, such as to show that attempts have been made to schedule a conference to resolve discovery disputes under Rule 10.1.
Attorneys and judges should conform to the Code of Professionalism adopted as Section 11 of Part G, General Administrative Rules, Supreme Court of Louisiana:
We will give the issues in controversy deliberate, impartial, and studied analysis and consideration.
We will do our best to insure that court personnel act civilly toward lawyers, parties, and witnesses.
We will be courteous, respectful, and civil in opinions, ever mindful that a position articulated by another judge is the result of that judge's earnest effort to interpret the law and the facts correctly.
Standard 1.1 Public Proceedings
The court conducts openly its judicial proceedings that are public by law or custom.
Standard 1.2 Safety, Accessibility, and Convenience
The court encourages responsible parties to make court facilities safe, accessible and convenient.
Standard 1.3 Effective Participation
All who appear before the court are given reasonable opportunities to participate effectively without undue hardship or inconvenience.
Standard 1.4 Courtesy, Responsiveness, and Respect
Judges and other trial court personnel are courteous and responsive to the public and accord respect to all with whom they come into contact.
Standard 1.5 Affordable Cost of Access
The court encourages all responsible public bodies and public officers to make the costs of access to the trial court's proceedings and records - whether measured in terms of money, time, or the procedures that must be followed - reasonable, fair, and affordable.
II. EXPEDITION AND TIMELINESS
Standard 2.1 Case Processing
The trial court encourages timely case management and processing.
Standard 2.2 Required Reports and Requests for Information
The trial court promptly provides required reports and responds to requests for information.
Standard 2.3 Prompt Implementation of Law and Procedure
The trial court promptly implements changes in the law and procedure.
III. EQUALITY, FAIRNESS, AND INTEGRITY
Standard 3.1 Fair and Reliable Judicial Process
Trial court procedures faithfully adhere to laws, procedural rules, and established policies.
Standard 3.2 Juries
The jury venire is representative of the jurisdiction from which it is drawn.
Standard 3.3 Court Decisions and Actions
Trial courts give individual attention to cases, deciding them without undue disparity among like cases and upon legally relevant factors.
Standard 3.4 Clarity
Decisions of the trial court address clearly the issues presented to it and, where appropriate, specify how compliance can be achieved.
Standard 3.5 Responsibility for Enforcement
Standard 3.6 Production and Preservation of Records
IV. INDEPENDENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Standard 4.1 Independence and Comity
The trial court maintains its constitutional independence and observes the principle of cooperation with other branches of government.
Standard 4.2 Accountability for Public Resources
The trial court responsibly seeks, uses, and accounts for its public resources.
Standard 4.3 Personnel Practices and Decisions
The trial court uses fair employment practices.
Standard 4.4 Public Education
The trial court informs the community of its structure, function, and programs.
Standard 4.5 Response to Changes
The trial court recognizes new conditions or emergent events and adjusts its operations as necessary.
V. PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
Standard 5.1 Accessibility
The trial court and the justice it renders are perceived by the public as accessible.
Standard 5.2 Fair, Impartial, and Expeditious Court Functions
The trial court functions fairly, impartially, and expeditiously in order that the public has trust and confidence in the integrity of the decisions of the court.
Standard 5.3 Judicial Independence and Accountability
The trial court is perceived to be independent, cooperative with other components of government, and accountable.
While many of these standards may be applicable to juvenile and family courts, some of the standards will need to be modified in consideration of the special needs and functions of those specialized jurisdiction courts.
No provisions restating existing law have been included in these Rules. The citations to the deleted topics are as follows:
(1) Withdrawal of records - La. R.S. 44:32, et seq., and La. R.S. 13:4681.
(2) Destruction of records - La. R.S. 13:917 and La. R.S. 13:1221.
(3) Preservation of records - La. R.S. 44:36.
(4) See Title III, Rule 15.0 regarding case records in criminal proceedings.
CHAPTER 8. INDIGENTS AND IN FORMA PAUPERIS
Rule 8.0 Uniform In Forma Pauperis Affidavit
No recommendation from the clerk of court's office as to whether a litigant is in fact indigent need be attached to an affidavit of poverty submitted by a party wishing to proceed in forma pauperis. No requirement that such a recommendation be attached, pursuant to La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 5183, may be instituted except by amendment to these Rules. Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010; amended April 20, 2010, effective June 1, 2010. Comments
(a) See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 5181, et seq., for general rules for proceeding in forma pauperis. See Chapter 13 of the Louisiana Rules for District Courts for special rules governing civil litigation filed by inmates.
(b) Federal laws, including the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, provide that Social Security numbers are confidential and that governmental benefits may not be denied because of a person's refusal to provide that information, unless its provision is required by federal statute. Accordingly, providing the applicant’s Social Security number is optional in the affidavit in Appendix 8.0.