Performance of the City and Parish Courts

Fiscal Year 2016 - 2017

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GOAL 1: TO ESTABLISH A MORE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE SYSTEM OF JUSTICE


Objective

1.5 To encourage all responsible public bodies and public officers to make the costs of access to the court’s proceedings and records - whether measured in terms of money, time, or the procedures that must be followed - reasonable, fair, and affordable

Intent of the Objective

Litigants and others who use the services of the city and parish courts can face financial barriers to accessing them. These include fees and court costs, third-party expenses (e.g., deposition costs and expert witness fees), attorney fees and costs, costs associated with time delays and overall lengthiness of proceedings, and the cost of accessing records. This objective addresses the need for court leaders to work with other public bodies and officers to make the costs of access to court proceedings and records reasonable, fair, and affordable.

Responses To Objective

  1. Actions taken during FY 2016-2017 to assist pro se/self-represented litigants.

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QuestionIdQuestionStatementResponse
184775692What actions, if any, did your court take during the reporting period to assist pro se/self-represented litigants? Actions taken during FY 2016-2017 to assist pro se/self-represented litigants.
(Hover on the chart for more information and click on the chart to see which courts chose that response.)
Actions taken during FY 2016-2017 to assist pro se/self-represented litigants.
Refresh Charts
Additional actions taken by the courts to address this objective
BATON ROUGE CITY COURT
The court developed cards to hand out to pro se litigants that contain information on how to seek assistance from the local bar association and legal services organization. This information is also contained on publications on display in the courthouse. The court also has brochures that outline and answer general questions about how the court works. The court website also has a frequently asked questions sections.
DENHAM SPRINGS CITY COURT
The Public Defender was present and assisted all litigants in criminal matters.
JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT
A receptionist was available during all hours of operation to answer general questions. In addition, the court provided personnel to direct the public to correct locations and provided information on procedures during Traffic Court hours. Judges provide guidance and assistance to self-represented litigants when they determine there is a need. The clerk of court allowed access to the court record database for the purpose of search and date compliance. The clerk of court also provided some pro se forms and mailed them to the general public. The Judicial Clerks Office also uses email for delivering of out of town affidavit information.
JENNINGS CITY COURT
The judge continued to participate as a member of the Supreme Court City Court Forms Committee.
LAFAYETTE CITY COURT
The judges of the court regularly participated in training regarding self-represented litigants.
NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL AND TRAFFIC COURT
The court provided procedure information and forms to litigants without providing legal advice. The court also designated a phone operators to answer calls and provide information.
VIDALIA CITY COURT
The court made pamphlets available at the city court clerk's desk.
ResponseResponse_Court
Additional actions taken by the courts to address this objective7 courts (BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, DENHAM SPRINGS CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL AND TRAFFIC COURT, VIDALIA CITY COURT)
Continued to address this objective through the actions indicated below, or implemented the following new actions to address this objective as indicated below:50 courts (ABBEVILLE CITY COURT, ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT, BAKER CITY COURT, BASTROP CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BOGALUSA CITY COURT, BOSSIER CITY COURT, BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, DENHAM SPRINGS CITY COURT, EUNICE CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HAMMOND CITY COURT, HOUMA CITY COURT, JEANERETTE CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, KAPLAN CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, LEESVILLE CITY COURT, MARKSVILLE CITY COURT, MINDEN CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT, NEW IBERIA CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 2ND CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL AND TRAFFIC COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PINEVILLE CITY COURT, PLAQUEMINE CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, RUSTON CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SPRINGHILL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, THIBODAUX CITY COURT, VIDALIA CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WEST MONROE CITY COURT, WINNFIELD CITY COURT, WINNSBORO CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)
Did not address this objective1 court (ASCENSION PARISH COURT)
Ensured the availability of indigent defenders to indigent defendants46 courts (ABBEVILLE CITY COURT, ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT, BAKER CITY COURT, BASTROP CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BOGALUSA CITY COURT, BOSSIER CITY COURT, BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, EUNICE CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HAMMOND CITY COURT, HOUMA CITY COURT, JEANERETTE CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, KAPLAN CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, LEESVILLE CITY COURT, MARKSVILLE CITY COURT, MINDEN CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT, NEW IBERIA CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL AND TRAFFIC COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PINEVILLE CITY COURT, PLAQUEMINE CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, RUSTON CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SPRINGHILL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, THIBODAUX CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WEST MONROE CITY COURT, WINNFIELD CITY COURT, WINNSBORO CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)
Provided generic petitions and other forms42 courts (ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT, BAKER CITY COURT, BASTROP CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, EUNICE CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HAMMOND CITY COURT, HOUMA CITY COURT, JEANERETTE CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, LEESVILLE CITY COURT, MARKSVILLE CITY COURT, MINDEN CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT, NEW IBERIA CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 2ND CITY COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PLAQUEMINE CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, RUSTON CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SPRINGHILL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, THIBODAUX CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WEST MONROE CITY COURT, WINNFIELD CITY COURT, WINNSBORO CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)
Referred pro se/self-represented litigants to legal service corporations30 courts (BAKER CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BOGALUSA CITY COURT, BOSSIER CITY COURT, BREAUX BRIDGE CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, HOUMA CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, MARKSVILLE CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT, NEW IBERIA CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 2ND CITY COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WINNFIELD CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)
Worked with the clerk of court and/or local bar to provide information30 courts (ALEXANDRIA CITY COURT, BAKER CITY COURT, BATON ROUGE CITY COURT, BOGALUSA CITY COURT, BOSSIER CITY COURT, BUNKIE CITY COURT, CROWLEY CITY COURT, FRANKLIN CITY COURT, JEANERETTE CITY COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 1ST PARISH COURT, JEFFERSON PARISH 2ND PARISH COURT, JENNINGS CITY COURT, LAFAYETTE CITY COURT, LAKE CHARLES CITY COURT, LEESVILLE CITY COURT, MARKSVILLE CITY COURT, MONROE CITY COURT, MORGAN CITY COURT, NATCHITOCHES CITY COURT, NEW ORLEANS 1ST CITY COURT, OAKDALE CITY COURT, OPELOUSAS CITY COURT, PORT ALLEN CITY COURT, RAYNE CITY COURT, SHREVEPORT CITY COURT, SLIDELL CITY COURT, SULPHUR CITY COURT, VILLE PLATTE CITY COURT, WINNSBORO CITY COURT, ZACHARY CITY COURT)

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