“A basic premise of our system of justice is that both sides to a dispute stand on equal footing in gathering evidence and preparing for trial. The discovery rules are not ends in themselves, but are meant to aid in the search for the truth.” (See Diamond Fields v. Ochsner Med. Ctr.- Kenner, No. 22-C-64, at *6 (La. Ct. App. May 11, 2022); Hicks v. USAA Gen. Indem. Co. (2022) 339 So. 3d 1106, 1112.)
“To that end, this Court has previously summarized the objectives of the Louisiana discovery process as affording all parties a fair opportunity to obtain facts pertinent to the litigation, discovering the true facts and compelling disclosure of these facts wherever they may be found, and assisting litigants in preparing their cases for trial.” (See id.)
“Discovery statutes are to be liberally and broadly construed to achieve their intended objectives.” (See id.)
“Discovery should be allowed where such discovery relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or to the claim or defense of any other party, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of any discoverable matter." (See Molaison v. Cust-O-Fab Specialty Servs. (2022) 343 So. 3d 866, 872.)
However, discovery is not unlimited. “The unique character of the discovery process requires that the trial court have substantial latitude to fashion protective orders.” (See In re Warner, No. 05-B-1303, at *48 (La. Apr. 17, 2009).)
Protective orders are governed under subsection 1426 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, Revised Statutes.
“Upon motion by a party or by the person from whom discovery is sought, and for good cause shown, the court in which the action is pending or alternatively, on matters relating to a deposition, the court in the district where the deposition is to be taken may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense…” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1426(A).)
“If the motion for a protective order is denied in whole or in part, the court may, on such terms and conditions as are just, order that any party or person provide or permit discovery. The provisions of Article 1469 apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1426(B).)
“No provision of this Article authorizes a court to issue a protective order preventing or limiting discovery or ordering records sealed if the information or material sought to be protected relates to a public hazard or relates to information which may be useful to members of the public in protecting themselves from injury that might result from such public hazard, unless such information or material sought to be protected is a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1426(C).)
“Any portion of an agreement or contract which has the purpose or effect of concealing a public hazard, any information relating to a public hazard, or any information which may be useful to members of the public in protecting themselves from injury that might result from a public hazard is null and shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy, unless such information is a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information.” (See (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1426(D).)
“Any substantially affected person or any representative of the news media has standing to contest any order or judgment that violates the provisions of Paragraph C of this Article or any agreement or contract contrary to public policy pursuant to Paragraph D of this Article.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1426(E).)
“The trial court is in the best position to weigh fairly the competing needs and interests of parties affected by discovery. The unique character of the discovery process requires that the trial court have substantial latitude to fashion protective orders.” (See In re Warner, No. 05-B-1303, at *48 (La. Apr. 17, 2009).)
“Pursuant to the general rules of discovery, a court has the authority to grant a protective order for good cause shown if justice requires such an order to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden or expense." (See Fisher v. Town of Boyce (2017) 250 So. 3d 904, 907.)
“The granting or denial of a protective order and the extent of protection are within the sound discretion of the trial court.” (See id; Boyd v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. (2000) 99-1820.)
“An appellate court will not modify or reverse the trial court in such matters absent a showing of abuse of discretion.” (See Fisher v. Town of Boyce (2017) 250 So. 3d 904, 907.)
“Generally, an abuse of discretion results from a conclusion reached capriciously or in an arbitrary manner.” (See Sullivan v. Brookshire Grocery Co. & Sealy Uptown, LLC (2022) 348 So. 3d 872, 875.)
“The word ‘arbitrary’ implies a disregard of evidence or the proper weight thereof. A conclusion is ‘capricious’ when there is no substantial evidence to support it or the conclusion is contrary to substantiated competent evidence.” (See id.)
“Although a reviewing court defers to reasonable decisions within the trial court's discretion, a decision based upon an erroneous interpretation or application of the law, rather than a valid exercise of discretion, is not entitled to such deference.” (See id.)
It is well settled that “since courts are to construe discovery statutes liberally and broadly, including those provisions addressing the scope of discovery, any relevant unprivileged information, whether or not admissible at trial and whether documents or tangible things, is discoverable.” (See In re Marriage of Kuntz (2008) 998 So. 2d 120, 124; Moak v. Illinois Central Railroad (1994) 631 So. 2d 401, 406.)
As such, it is well settled that absent a protective order “the discovery articles grant the trial court the power to compel discovery and the discretion to impose various sanctions on a party or his attorney for unjustified failure to comply with the statutory scheme or to obey an order compelling discovery.” (See Reich, Album & Plunkett, L.L.C. v. Mugnier (2021) 334 So. 3d 986, 989.)
May 14, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 13, 2024
Active
Hon. Keller, John A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 13, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Keller, John A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 06, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 06, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 01, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
May 01, 2024
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 30, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 26, 2024
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Apr 25, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 23, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 19, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 18, 2024
Other
Hon. Judge:Section A
District
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
Apr 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 17, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 16, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 15, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 15, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 12, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 11, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 11, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 11, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 09, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 08, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
District
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Apr 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 04, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 03, 2024
Active
Hon. Zaunbrecher, Alan A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Apr 02, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Apr 01, 2024
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Mar 28, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 28, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 26, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 21, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 19, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Mar 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Anderson, Commissioner, Ernest S.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 15, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 15, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 12, 2024
Active
Hon. Zeller, Tara F.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Mar 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Mar 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Mar 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Mar 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 26, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 23, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 21, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 20, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 20, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 20, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 20, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 16, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 15, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Feb 15, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 14, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 14, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Feb 12, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Feb 09, 2024
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 09, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Feb 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Feb 02, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:BALFOUR, KELLY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Feb 02, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Breach of Contract
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Feb 02, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Feb 02, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Jan 30, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 30, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Zaunbrecher, Alan A.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Jan 29, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:MOORE, RICHARD "CHIP"
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Jan 26, 2024
Other
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 26, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 26, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 26, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Jan 25, 2024
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 25, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 24, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 24, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 24, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 23, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 22, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:MOORE, RICHARD "CHIP"
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order/Stalking
Criminal
General Criminal
Jan 18, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:BALFOUR, KELLY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 17, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 17, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 17, 2024
Active
Hon. Oppenheim, Patrice W.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 12, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
Jan 12, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Protective Order
Family
Domestic Violence
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