Rule Text
In a civil case, the court shall fix an amount to cover the costs related to the jury, clerk of court, and sheriff. The court may not require that the bond be filed or the costs paid more than 180 days before trial. The failure to pay these costs timely will constitute a waiver of trial by jury.
Amendment history: Adopted April 1, 2002, effective April 1, 2002; amended June 2, 2003, effective July 1, 2003; amended November 3, 2008, effective January 1, 2009; amended November 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010, amended November 21, 2011, effective January 1, 2012.
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
If you want a jury trial in a civil case, you need to pay a deposit to cover jury costs, clerk fees, and sheriff fees. The court will set the amount you owe. The court cannot make you pay this money more than 180 days before your trial date.
You need to pay on time. If you miss the deadline to pay these costs, you lose your right to a jury trial. This means your case would be decided by a judge instead.
If you're asking for a jury trial, mark your calendar and make sure the payment gets in before the deadline the court sets. Missing this deadline has a real consequence: you give up your right to have a jury hear your case.
Committee Notes
(a) La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1734 provides that the jury bond shall be filed no later than sixty days before trial. La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1734.1 provides that the court may order, in lieu of the bond required in Article 1734, that a cash deposit for costs be made no later than thirty days prior to trial. Rule 12.0 provides further guidance by stating that the bond need not be filed or the costs need not be paid more than 180 days before trial. Of course, the jury bond may be filed at the time of filing, at the discretion of counsel.
(b) La. R.S. 13:3105 sets the compensation to jurors in civil cases in Orleans Parish at $25.00 per day. La. R.S. 13:3049 states that jurors shall be paid $25.00 per day and that they should be reimbursed at a mileage rate not less than $.16 a mile and not more than the rate in effect for state officials.
(c) See La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1761, et seq., regarding the procedure for calling and examining jurors.
