Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 521

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.

            A. Pretrial motions shall be made or filed within thirty days after receipt of initial discovery, unless a different time is provided by law or fixed by the court upon a showing of good cause why thirty days is inadequate.

            B. Upon written motion at any time and a showing of good cause, the court shall allow additional time to file pretrial motions.

            C. If by pretrial motion the state or the defendant requests discovery or disclosure of evidence favorable to the defendant, then the court shall fix a time by which the state or the defendant shall respond to the motion.

            Added by Acts 1978, No. 735, §1; Amended by Acts 1981, No. 440, §1; Acts 2012, No. 842, §1; Acts 2020, No. 252, §1.