§ 51:133 — Evidence; defendant's documents; legislative and administrative reports; judicial records

In any suit under this Part, the judge shall give the books, letters, and other documents, or apparent copies of them, belonging to the defendant, full effect as being what they purport to be and as establishing the facts carried on their face, unless there is sufficient rebuttal or countervailing proof, against them. Such books, letters or other documents, or apparent copies of them, shall be received in evidence without other formality than proof of their having been under the control of the defendant.
The judge shall receive in evidence any report by a legislative committee of Louisiana, or of the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States, or of any bureau, department, or any commission organized or acting under the authority either of this state or the United States, pertinent to the issue. The judge shall receive in evidence any record or parts of the record of any court of any state or of the United States in any legal proceeding to which the defendant is or has been a party, on the condition that all of the record is produced unless the certificate of the custodian shows that all of it is not obtainable. However, the testimony of a witness shall not be received unless the party against whom it is offered has had the opportunity to cross-examine, but the defendant may put the record, or parts of it, in evidence whether the state or other plaintiff has had the right to cross-examine or not, and in the absence of denial, explanation, or counter-proof, the report, record, or testimony, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts set forth.