§996.57. Judicial expense fund for Thirtieth Judicial District

A. In addition to all other fees or costs now or hereafter provided by law, the clerk of court in the Thirtieth Judicial District shall collect from every person filing any type of civil suit or proceeding, and who is not otherwise exempted by law from the payment of court costs, a sum to be determined by the judges of the district, sitting en banc, which sum shall not exceed fifteen dollars, subject, however, to the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure Art. 5181 et seq. In all criminal cases over which the Thirtieth Judicial District Court has jurisdiction, there shall be taxed as costs against every defendant who is convicted after trial or after he pleads guilty or nolo contendere or who forfeits his bond a sum likewise determined, but which shall not exceed five dollars, which shall be collected by the sheriff.

B. The clerk of court and sheriff shall place all sums collected or received under this Section with the chief judge, who shall place the funds in a separate account to be designated as the judicial expense fund for the Thirtieth Judicial District Court. The judges of the court, sitting en banc, shall have control over the fund and all disbursements made therefrom. They 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.

C. The judges of the court, sitting en banc, in lieu of all or any part of the fees for reporting and transcribing testimony authorized under the provisions of R.S. 13:961(F), or other applicable laws, and in addition to salaries otherwise provided, authorized, or established by law, may fix and pay each of their court reporters a salary from the judicial expense fund. The judges, sitting en banc, may further appoint such secretarial, law clerks, clerical, research, administrative, or other personnel as they deem necessary to expedite the business and function of the court and fix and pay all or any part of the salaries of such personnel out of the monies in the judicial expense fund. In like manner, the judges, sitting 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. 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, and is in addition to any and all other funds, salaries, expenses, or other monies that are now or hereafter provided, authorized, or established by law for any of these purposes.

D. No salary shall be paid from the judicial expense fund for the Thirtieth Judicial District Court to any of the judges thereof except as may be paid for administering the fund and then only after prior legislative approval.

Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 75, §1.