DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 757 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Robert Owen
Abstract: Changes the name of the City Court of Slidell to the City Court of East St. Tammany.
Present law abolishes the offices of justice of the peace and constable in Ward 9, the part of Ward
8 of St. Tammany Parish within the city of Slidell, and the mayor's court in the city of Slidell and
establishes the City Court of Slidell, La.
Present law provides that the territorial jurisdiction of the City Court of Slidell shall extend
throughout Ward 8 and Ward 9 of St. Tammany Parish, and provides that in the part of Ward 8
outside of the city of Slidell, the subject matter jurisdiction of the Eighth Ward Justice of the Peace
Court shall be the same as provided by law for other justice of the peace courts.
Present law also provides that the jurisdiction of the mayor's court for the town of Pearl River, La.
shall remain unchanged and unaffected by present law provisions.
Present law further provides that the City Court of Slidell shall be composed of a city judge, a
marshal, and a clerk of said court. The judge and marshal of the city court shall be elected at the
congressional election every six years thereafter.
With regard to Wards 8 and 9, present law provides that a property standards or nuisance violation
adopted pursuant to local ordinance shall be prosecuted in the City Court of Slidell or if a Ward 8
violation is involved, the Ward 8 Justice of the Peace Court.
Present law provides that the City Court of Slidell small claims division shall have civil subject
matter jurisdiction in cases where the amount in dispute is the same as the amount established for
civil jurisdiction in a justice of the peace court, exclusive of interest, court costs, attorney fees, or
penalties.
Present law also provides that the civil jurisdiction of the City Court of Slidell is concurrent with the
district court in cases where the amount in dispute or the value of the property involved does not
exceed $50,000, and over suits by owners and landlords of leased premises.
Present law provides that the City Court of Slidell does not have jurisdiction in a case or proceeding
involving a number of instances including but not limited to cases in which the state, or a parish,
municipal, or other political corporation is a defendant, except for a petition for nullity filed in the
City Court of Slidell to nullify a judgment of bond forfeiture rendered by that court. Present law provides for the compensation of city court judges as well as for the compensation of
off duty law enforcement officers being subpoenaed to appear in court to testify.
Present law provides for the assessment of nonrefundable fees in civil suits or proceedings involving
domestic violence and criminal proceedings involving family violence.
Present law provides that any amount collected in excess of the amount needed to defray the costs
of supervision in criminal, traffic, and juvenile cases may be used for the operational expenses of
the city court.
Present law allows the marshal of the City Court of Slidell to collect a fee of $10 for the taking of
an appearance bond when required to do so and allows the city court to impose an additional five
dollar fee as court costs in civil and criminal matters.
Present law provides that the sums collected for the taking of an appearance bond and additional
court costs shall be deposited in the marshal's general fund to supplement the operational expenses
of the marshal's office and that the expenditure of such marshal's general funds must be subject to
and included in the marshal's annual audit. A copy of the audit shall be filed with the legislative
auditor who shall make it available for public inspection.
Present law provides that the court shall be provided with a seal that shall contain a vignette of the
state seal and contain the words, "Seal of the City Court of Slidell, La.", which shall be used on all
orders, writs and processes issuing from the court.
Proposed law retains present law and changes the name of the city court from the City Court of
Slidell to the City Court of East St. Tammany and amends present law provisions to conform with
the changing of the name.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 13:1875(13), 1899(J), 2080.1(B), 2106(A) and (B), 2487.1, 2487.17, 2586(C)(6)(c),
and 5202(E), R.S. 15:254.7, and C.C.P. Arts. 4843(H), 4844(A)(6), and 4847(A)(6))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill:
1. Add an effective date based upon the signature of the governor.