§ 33:1884 — Liability for failure to serve process; prima facie evidence

Upon a neglect, failure, or refusal of any sheriff or his deputies, or the coroner, or constable, to serve any legal process in either a civil or criminal proceeding by which any person, the state, parish, or municipal corporation, ordering the same is injured, or loses his recourse on the claim sued on, or on the property which was liable to seizure under any writs at the time they were placed in the hands of the officer, the officer shall be responsible, as well as his securities on his official bonds, to the party injured for the full amount owing on the claim sued on, or the writ he has failed to execute, or other damage. Proof by the party injured that the officer failed to serve the process on the proper party, or that he made illegal service thereof, so that prescription barred the claim, or the court was deprived of jurisdiction, or that when the legal process was placed in the officer's hands, the party against whom it was issued, had property, rights, or credits liable to seizure, and within the jurisdiction of the officer, and he failed to seize the same, shall be prima facie evidence of liability of the officer and his securities on his official bond for the amount of the writ. However, the sheriff or other officer may require an indemnifying bond or the advance of or security for costs in cases provided by law.