This section lets certain justices of the peace appoint a clerk of court, charge specified filing and peace-bond fees, require advance costs in some cases, and directs how the money is held and shared.
§2590.1. Appointment of clerk of court; security for costs; East Baton Rouge Parish; Jefferson Parish A.(1) A justice of the peace in Jefferson Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish may appoint a clerk of court whose jurisdiction shall coincide with the jurisdiction of the appointing justice of the peace. (2) The clerk of court shall have authority to accept, record, and process filings. B. A justice of the peace in East Baton Rouge Parish and Jefferson Parish may demand and receive up to the following amounts in addition to or in lieu of the costs provided for in R.S. 13:2590 for filings and services in civil matters: (1) New suit: thirty dollars, and five dollars per additional defendant. (2) Eviction proceeding: thirty dollars, and five dollars per additional defendant. (3) Garnishment, writ of attachment through garnishment: thirty dollars, and five dollars per additional defendant, plus ten dollars for attorney answering any interrogatories. (4) Service of garnishment pleadings and order on defendant when garnishee is a financial institution: thirty dollars, and five dollars per additional defendant. (5) Judgment debtor rule: thirty dollars, and five dollars per additional defendant. C. All amounts received pursuant to Subsection B shall be retained by the justice of the peace in a separate account for compensation and operational expenses of the clerk of court's office. D. Except when the plaintiff is relieved from the necessity of paying costs or furnishing security therefor, under Code of Civil Procedure Articles 5181 through 5188 or under R.S. 13:4521, a justice of the peace may demand that the plaintiff provide costs in advance. E. A justice of the peace in East Baton Rouge Parish and Jefferson Parish may demand and receive an amount not to exceed eighty dollars as a fee for issuing a peace bond. Of this amount, twenty dollars shall go to the clerk of courts and of the remaining amount, fifty percent of the fee shall be retained by the justice of the peace for operational expenses of the office and court and fifty percent of the fee shall go to the constable for operational expenses of the constable's office. Acts 1999, No. 549, §1; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 38, §1; Acts 2011, No. 34, §1, eff. June 14, 2011; Acts 2017, No. 232, §1; Acts 2023, No. 72, §1.