“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.)
“A deposition is an authorized discovery method.” (See Acara v. Banks (2010) 37 So. 3d 996, 997.)
Depositions are governed under the revised states of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, subsections 1429 – 1475.
“A person who desires to perpetuate his own testimony or that of another person regarding any matter that may be cognizable in any court of this state may file a verified petition in a court in which the anticipated action might be brought.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1429.)
“The petitioner shall thereafter serve a notice upon each person named in the petition as an expected adverse party, together with a copy of the petition, stating that the petitioner will apply to the court, at a time and place named therein, for the order described in the petition. At least twenty days before the date of hearing the notice shall be served as provided in Article 1314.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1430.)
“A deposition to perpetuate testimony taken under Articles 1429 through 1431 may be used in any action involving the same subject matter subsequently brought in any court of this state, in accordance with the provisions of Article 1450.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1432.)
“After commencement of the action, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon oral examination. Leave of court, granted with or without notice, must be obtained only if the plaintiff seeks to take a deposition prior to the expiration of fifteen days after service of citation upon any defendant, except that leave is not required if a defendant has served a notice of taking deposition or otherwise sought discovery, or if special notice is given as provided in Article 1439.” (See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1437.)
“The attendance of witnesses may be compelled by the use of subpoena as for witnesses in trials. The deposition of a person confined in prison may be taken only by leave of court on such terms as the court prescribes.” (See id.)
“The standard of review for discovery matters is abuse of discretion.” (See Jones v. Quality Distribution, Inc., No. 2022-CA-0104, at *4 (La. Ct. App. Sep. 14, 2022).)
“The trial court has discretion in the admissibility of depositions.” (See Bruins v. United States Fleet Leasing (1983) 430 So. 2d 386, 387.)
“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 “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. Creel, Ellen M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
May 13, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:Section C
District
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
May 10, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
May 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Zaunbrecher, Alan A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Apr 23, 2024
District
Orleans Parish, LA
Petition For Discovery
Apr 18, 2024
Active
Hon. Lobello, Vincent J.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Apr 16, 2024
District
Orleans Parish, LA
Apr 10, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Apr 09, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
District
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Apr 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Lobello, Vincent J.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Apr 03, 2024
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Mar 15, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, RONALD R.
District
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Mar 13, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Mar 12, 2024
Active
Hon. Zaunbrecher, Alan A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Discovery
Mar 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Amacker, Dawn
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Mar 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Mar 04, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:Section B
Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
Mar 04, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, RONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Mar 04, 2024
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Feb 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Lobello, Vincent J.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Feb 28, 2024
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Petition For Discovery
Feb 27, 2024
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Feb 08, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON-ROSE, EBONI
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Feb 08, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Feb 07, 2024
Active
Hon. Zeller, Tara F.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Feb 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Keller, John A.
District
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Feb 02, 2024
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Other (Special Proceeding)
Feb 01, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Jan 31, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JORDEN, WILLIAM
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 29, 2024
Active
Hon. Burris, William H.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Jan 25, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:MOORE, RICHARD "CHIP"
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
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. Burris, William H.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Discovery
Jan 12, 2024
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:Section A
Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
Jan 11, 2024
Active
Hon. Zeller, Tara F.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Discovery
Jan 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Discovery
Jan 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Jan 08, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Jan 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Zeller, Tara F.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Jan 05, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Jan 04, 2024
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Petition For Discovery
Jan 04, 2024
Active
Hon. Lobello, Vincent J.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Declaratory Judgment
Jan 04, 2024
Active
Hon. Black, Alan M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Dec 22, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:Section A
Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 21, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 21, 2023
Other
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 21, 2023
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Dec 20, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:Section C
Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 20, 2023
Active
Hon. Swartz, Richard A.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Dec 18, 2023
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Dec 15, 2023
Active
Hon. Zaunbrecher, Alan A.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Executory Judgment
Creditor
Judgment Enforcement
Dec 15, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 14, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 13, 2023
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Issuance of Subpoenas
Dec 13, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Dec 12, 2023
Active
Hon. Childress, Raymond S.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Dec 07, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Petition For Discovery
Dec 06, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FOXWORTH-ROBERTS, TIFFANY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Dec 05, 2023
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Dec 04, 2023
Foreign,Sister-State Judgment
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, RONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 30, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JORDEN, WILLIAM
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 30, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 29, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 29, 2023
Active
Hon. Zaunbrecher, Alan A.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Nov 28, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 28, 2023
Active
Hon. Badeaux, Reginald T., III
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Nov 21, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FOXWORTH-ROBERTS, TIFFANY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 20, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 17, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FOXWORTH-ROBERTS, TIFFANY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 17, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Other (Probate)
Probate
General Probate
Nov 17, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 17, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:SMITH, TARVALD A.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 15, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 15, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 14, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Nov 14, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:MOORE, RICHARD "CHIP"
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 13, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 13, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FOXWORTH-ROBERTS, TIFFANY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 08, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 08, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, DONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 06, 2023
Foreign,Sister-State Judgment
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 06, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:BALFOUR, KELLY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 03, 2023
Foreign,Sister-State Judgment
Hon. Judge:BALFOUR, KELLY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 03, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:MOORE, RICHARD "CHIP"
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 03, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 03, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:HIGGINBOTHAM, BEAU
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Nov 03, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Other (Special Proceeding)
Oct 31, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JORDEN, WILLIAM
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 26, 2023
Active
Hon. Creel, Ellen M.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Issuance of Subpoenas
Oct 26, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JOHNSON, RONALD R.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 25, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Oct 25, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Oct 25, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:Section B
Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 24, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Oct 24, 2023
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish, LA
Other
Oct 23, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:JORDEN, WILLIAM
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 23, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FOXWORTH-ROBERTS, TIFFANY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 20, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:SMITH, TARVALD A.
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 20, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FIELDS, WILSON E
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
Oct 19, 2023
Suit Status:Active
Hon. Judge:FOXWORTH-ROBERTS, TIFFANY
East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Civil
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