CHAPTER 5. WAIVER OF COSTS FOR INDIGENT PARTY

Art. 5181. Privilege of litigating without prior payment of costs

A. Except as provided in Paragraph B of this Article, an individual who is unable to pay the costs of court because of his poverty and lack of means may prosecute or defend a judicial proceeding in any trial or appellate court without paying the costs in advance or as they accrue or furnishing security therefor.

B. In the event any person seeks to prosecute a suit in a court of this state while incarcerated or imprisoned for the commission of a felony without paying the costs in advance as they accrue or furnishing security thereof, the court shall require such person to advance costs in accordance with the following schedule:

Prisoner's Present Assets

Advance Cost To Be Paid

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Amount

Amount

Amount

Amount

$

0.00

$

20.00

$

0.00

$

3.00

$

20.01

$

45.00

$

3.00

$

9.00

$

45.01

$

65.00

$

9.00

$

15.00

$

65.01

$

85.00

$

15.00

$

21.00

$

85.01

$

105.00

$

21.00

$

27.00

$

105.01

$

125.00

$

27.00

$

33.00

$

125.01

$

145.00

$

33.00

$

39.00

$

145.01

$

165.00

$

39.00

$

45.00

$

165.01

$

185.00

$

45.00

$

51.00

$

185.01

$

205.00

$

51.00

$

57.00

$

205.01

$

225.00

$

57.00

$

63.00

$

225.01

$

245.00

$

63.00

$

69.00

$

245.01

$

265.00

$

69.00

$

75.00

$

265.01

$

285.00

$

75.00

$

81.00

$

285.01

$

305.00

$

81.00

$

87.00

$

305.01

$

325.00

$

87.00

$

93.00

$

325.01

$

345.00

$

93.00

$

99.00

$

345.01

$

365.00

$

99.00

$

105.00

$

365.01

Up

$

105.00 to all advance

cost.

C. The court for good cause shown may require a prisoner to pay more or less advance cost than is required by the schedule in Paragraph B of this Article if the court finds that the prisoner's prior financial record makes reliance on his present economic status inappropriate.

Amended by Acts 1964, No. 336, §1; Acts 1972, No. 663, §1. Acts 1984, No. 509, §1.