This section bars jury trials in suits against the state and political subdivisions, with limited waiver and filing exceptions, and assigns jury-trial costs to the party demanding the jury trial unless a stated exemption applies.
§5105. Jury trial prohibited; demand for trial; costs A. No suit against a political subdivision of the state shall be tried by jury. Except upon a demand for jury trial timely filed in accordance with law by the state or a state agency or the plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state or state agency, no suit against the state or a state agency shall be tried by jury. B. Whenever a jury trial is demanded by the state, state agency, or the plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state or state agency, the party demanding the jury trial shall pay all costs of the jury trial including the posting of a bond or cash deposit for costs in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure Articles 1733 through 1734.1, inclusive. C. Repealed by Acts 2016, No. 341, §1, eff. June 2, 2016. D. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A, a political subdivision, by general ordinance or resolution, may waive the prohibition against a jury trial provided in Subsection A of this Section. Whenever the jury trial prohibition is waived by a political subdivision, and a jury trial is demanded by the political subdivision or the plaintiff in a suit against the political subdivision or against an officer or employee of the political subdivision, the demand for a jury trial shall be timely filed in accordance with law. The rights to and limitations upon a jury trial shall be as provided in Code of Civil Procedure Articles 1731 and 1732. E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B of this Section, the state, a state agency, or state employee who is being indemnified and defended under R.S. 13:5108.1 or the Patients Compensation Fund shall not be required to post any bond, cash deposit, or other charge whatsoever to obtain a trial by jury. If the state, state agency, or state employee who is being indemnified and defended under R.S. 13:5108.1 or the Patients Compensation Fund is ordered to pay court costs, the state or the Patients Compensation Fund, as may be applicable, shall pay all jury costs directly associated with that trial within thirty days after mailing of the notice of judgment of the trial court. Acts 1975, No. 434, §1; Acts 1993, No. 993, §1, eff. July 1, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 598, §1; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 63, §1, eff. May 9, 1996; Acts 2001, No. 249, §1; Acts 2016, No. 341, §1, eff. June 2, 2016.