NCJ Number
54951
Date Published
1977
Length
107 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF STATE COURTS IN LOUISIANA.
Abstract
THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM INCLUDES THE SUPREME COURT, THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, AND NINE DIFFERENT TRIAL COURTS. THE STATE DOES NOT HAVE SIMPLE JURISDICTIONAL DIVISIONS; VARIATIONS EXIST WITHIN COURTS AT THE SAME TRIAL LEVEL. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE JUDICIARY IS EXERCISED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHO IS SUBJECT TO RULES ADOPTED BY THE SUPREME COURT. DISTRICT COURTS ARE THE TRIAL COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION. THEY HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER ALL CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS, EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER FELONY CASES, AND APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER INFERIOR TRIAL COURTS. SPECIALIZED TRIAL COURTS DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS JUVENILES, TRAFFIC, AND SEPARATION AND DIVORCES CASES. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS HAVE CONCURRENT JURISDICTION WITH TRIAL COURTS IN MATTERS INVOLVING LESS THAN $100 AND ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACT AS COMMITTING MAGISTRATES IN CERTAIN CRIMINAL CASES. PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN DEVISED REGARDING THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; CONTINUING EDUCATION; AND THE USE OF PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS. THERE IS NO UNIFORM SYSTEM OF POSITION CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION LEVELS. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE UNIFIED APPROACH, COMPETENT AND INDEPENDENT JUDGES, POLICYMAKING AND ADMINISTRATION, COURT ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, COURT SYSTEM FINANCING AND BUDGETING, AND COURT RECORDS AND INFORMATION SYSTEM. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE LOUISIANA COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)