2007SessionSummaryCourts

2007 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature
LAJ summary of selected bills and effective dates

Courts and jurisdiction
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Adds judgeship for the 21st JDC (Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes) with subject matter jurisdiction over juvenile matters. New judge to take office on Jan. 1, 2009. (Amends R.S. 13:621.21)
HB 72 Carter, R.; Act 3; Effective 6/8/07

Adds two judgeships for the 4th JDC (Morehouse and Ouachita parishes). Increases judgeships from nine to 11 with the Div. J judgeship being elected from Section 1 and the Div. K judgeship being elected from Section 2. New judges to take office on Jan. 1, 2009. Act 64 and Act 210 are identical. (Amends R.S. 13:621.4)
HB 121 Walsworth; Act 64; Effective 1/1/08
SB 36 Jones; Act 210; Effective 1/1/08

Splits 11th JDC (DeSoto and Sabine parishes) to create the 42nd JDC (Desoto Parish) with two judges and the 11th JDC (Sabine Parish) with one judge. Each parish will have four assistant district attorneys. Governor to call a special election in both parishes on the proposition that the 11th JDC be split. Terms of office begin on Jan. 1, 2009. Cases transfer from the 11th JDC to the 42nd JDC on Jan. 1, 2009. (Amends R.S. 13:477 and (11), 621.11, 700.3, and 996.25, and R.S 16:51(A)(11), 262, 263, 264, and 265; adds R.S. 13:477(42), 621.42.1, 621.47, 700.4, and 996.65 and R.S. 16:51(A)(42), 921, 922, 923, 924, and 925)
HB 846 Bruce; Act 416; Effective (see bill)

5th Circuit Court of Appeal. Divides the first district composed of Jefferson Parish into two election sections with certain precincts in each section. Requires the next vacancy of a judge of the first district occurring after Aug. 15, 2007, to be filled by election from section two. If no election has occurred to fill a vacancy from section two prior to statewide elections in 2012, the regular election to fill the judgeship designated as Div. G of the first district will be held in section two of the first district. Effective upon consent judgment in the matter titled Henry Williams, et al. v. Fox McKeithen, et al., No. 05-1180, USDC, EDLA.  (Amends R.S. 13:312(5) and 312.1(E))
SB 162 Shepherd; Act 261; Effective (see bill)

Sets compensation for jury service in civil and criminal trials in the 24th JDC (Jefferson Parish). In civil cases the compensation is paid from filing fees. Authorizes the court to order, in lieu of bond, a deposit for costs, which must be a specific cash amount, and requires the court to fix the time for making the deposit, which must not be later than 60 days prior to trial. Also prohibits the deposit from exceeding $2,000 for the first day and $400 per day for each additional day the court estimates the trial will last. Failure to post the cash deposit constitutes a waiver of a jury trial. (Adds R.S. 13:3049.1)
HB 305 LaBruzzo; Act 5; Effective 6/8/07

Establishes a separate environmental docket for the 24th JDC to handle cases brought to enforce health, safety, and welfare ordinances in Jefferson Parish relating to blighted and abandoned property. (Adds R.S. 13:621.24.1 and R.S. 33:1373)
SB 334 Shepherd; Act 277; Effective 7/6/07

Increases transcription fees for court reporters in the 33rd JDC (Allen Parish) from $1.50 per page to $2.75 per page. (Adds R.S. 13:961(F)(1)(s))
HB 33 Hill; Act 2; Effective 6/8/07

Increases transcription fees for court reporters in the 25th JDC (Plaquemines Parish) from $1.50 per page to $2.75 per page and lowers the fees per copied page from 75 cents to 25 cents. (Amends R.S. 13:972(D))
HB 290 Wooton; Act 145; Effective 8/15/07

Establishes an indigent transcript fund for the 21st JDC (Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes) for the payment of court reporters in civil and criminal in forma pauperis and indigent cases and provides for an additional fee of $2 in criminal cases and 50 cents in civil cases. (Adds R.S. 13:964.3)
HB 283 Carter, R.; Act 4; Effective 8/15/07