State v. Billiot

673 So. 2d 1021, 1996 La. LEXIS 1599, 1996 WL 291942

Opinion

In re Billiot, Lacy; — Defendant(s); applying for supervisory and/or remedial writs; Parish of Terrebonne, 32nd Judicial District Court, Div. “D”, No. 163-364; to the Court of Appeal, First Circuit, Nos. CW94 1990, CW94 1680.

Writ granted. The district attorney is ordered to provide relator with an estimate of the costs of reproducing public records relator has requested and to which relator is entitled. La. Const, art. XII, Sec. 3; R.S. 44:31; State ex rel. Williams v. Whitley, 94-2693 (La. 2/9/95), 649 So.2d 414. The district attorney is further ordered to provide copies of those records upon payment. Under the Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq., relator may inspect, copy or obtain a reproduction of the records at his own expense. R.S. 44:31. In addition, the records’ custodian may provide him with copies free or at a reduced charge. R.S. 44:32(C)(2). However, relator is not automatically entitled to copies of the documents free of charge as of right, Williams, 94-2693 at 1, 649 So.2d at 414, though he may seek additional relief in the district court upon a showing that he is indigent and has a particularized need for the documents. State ex rel. Bernard v. Cr.D.C., 94-2247 (La. 4/28/95), 653 So.2d 1174.

MARCUS, J., not on panel.