§1565.2. Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish; judicial expense fund; existing fees in juvenile matters; disposition

A. There is hereby established a Judicial Expense Fund for the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish. From existing fees collected by the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish pursuant to Article 405 of the Louisiana Children's Code, and additionally court fines and any other court assessed imposed fees and court costs, the judges of the court, sitting en banc, shall determine a percentage of or a sum from existing fees collected by the court which shall be transmitted to the general fund of the parish to be placed pursuant to the provisions of this Section in a separate account to be designated as the Judicial Expense Fund for the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish. Notwithstanding this Section or other provision of law, any fees collected by the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish pursuant to Article 405 of the Louisiana Children's Code, in addition to any and all court fines and other court assessed fees and costs collected, to the extent such cumulative amount exceeds the "maximum annual amount" defined below, such excess of the maximum annual amount shall be remitted to the governing authority of the parish to be utilized for operational expenses of the juvenile court and juvenile detention facility. For purposes of this Section, the "maximum annual amount" shall be derived from taking the prior fiscal year expenditure of the judges of the First Judicial District Court from the judicial expense fund established pursuant to R.S. 13:996.16 et seq., which amount shall then be reduced proportionately to reflect the difference in the number of judges of the First Judicial District Court relative to the Juvenile Court of Caddo Parish. The juvenile judges, en banc, shall have control over the fund and all disbursements made from the Judicial Expense Fund of the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish and shall cause to be conducted annually an audit of the fund and the books and accounts relating thereto and shall file the same with the office of the legislative auditor where it shall be available for public inspection.

B. The Judicial Expense Fund for the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish may be used for any operating expense of the court and salaries for court reporters and other court personnel and is in addition to any and all other funds, salaries, expenses, or other monies that are provided, authorized, or established by law.

C. No judge's salary may be paid from the Judicial Expense Fund for the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish.

D. The judges, en banc, may utilize the monies in the judicial expense fund to pay all or any part of the cost of establishing or maintaining a law library for the court or for buying or maintaining any type of equipment, supplies, or other items consistent with or germane to the efficient operation of the court or in any manner otherwise authorized by law. In general, the judicial expense fund is established and may be used for any purpose connected with, incidental to, or related to the proper administration or function of the court or the offices of the judges.

Acts 2006, No. 691, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.