Louisiana Public Records Law
Louisiana public records law is a powerful tool that shines a light on the public's business and information. This 13-minute overview will introduce you to the basics from the perspective of records custodians, record requesters, and litigants. There are three potential client groups that can utilize public records; Custodians, Requestors, and Litigants.
1) Overview
- a) Definitions
- i) Public record ii) Custodian iii) Exclusions & exceptions
- b) Viewing
- i) May request identification, age and sign register ii) Produce records immediately if available iii) No charge
- c) Copying
- i) Written request ii) Reasonable charges iii) Written response if not immediately available
- (1) Three days by statute (2) Five days to avoid enforcement penalties
- i) Written request ii) Reasonable charges iii) Written response if not immediately available
- d) Enforcement
- i) Attorney fees and costs are mandatory after five days ii) $100 per day penalties and damages if delay is unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious iii) Custodian personally liable for fees, costs, penalties & damages
- e) Judicial action
- i) Ordinary or summary proceeding ii) Declaratory action, mandamus, injunction & contempt iii) Priority and preference thru appeal
- f) Jurisprudence
- i) Copeland v Copeland - sealed court records ii) Shane v The Parish of Jefferson- personal right to privacy iii) The Independent v Lafayette City Marshal Brian Pope - Contempt & persons
Tips
a) Read the entire statute - LRS 44:1 et seq b) Be specific - avoid "any and all" c) Be practical - what do you really need d) Be courteous - do not play "gotcha" e) Keep photocopies of all communications and requests