Opinion ID: 2535248
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Penalties and Costs

Text: Finally, we must decide the appropriate penalty. Rule XXXIX(4)(F)(7)(a) provides if the Court determines that a violation has occurred, the Court shall assess civil penalties in the following amounts: (a) One hundred dollars per day for statements required by Section 2 of this Rule. The Judiciary Commission urges us to calculate this fine beginning with the January 5, 2010 deadline set forth in the JAO notice of delinquency. Because the JAO did not receive Judge Sanborn's response until 24 days after January 5, 2010, the appropriate penalty would be $2,400. Respondent does not dispute this calculation, and we therefore impose sanctions of $2,400. The Judiciary Commission also requests an award of costs in the amount of $828.00. Rule XXXIX does not provide for a cost award in proceedings brought under that Rule. The Judiciary Commission cites Supreme Court Rule XXIII, § 22, which permits recovery of costs in other types of judicial discipline proceedings: In cases where the commission recommends the discipline of a judge, the commission shall review counsel's cost statement and shall recommend to the court that all or any portion of the costs incurred by the office of special counsel, as well as costs the commission has incurred, be taxed against the judge. The commission's recommendation shall be included in the record filed in this court in the form of an itemized cost statement. The court, in its discretion, may tax all or any portion of the costs recommended by the commission. However, no provision of Rule XXXIX adopts the section of Rule XXIII cited by the Judiciary Commission. It is the well-settled jurisprudence of this State that the only costs taxable against a litigant are those provided for by positive law. Succession of Franz, 242 La. 875, 139 So.2d 216, 218 (1962); State ex rel, Dept. Of Highways v. Salemi, 249 La. 1078, 193 So.2d 252, 254 (1966). As Rule XXXIX does not provide for an assessment of costs, we decline to award them.