Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 916

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

The jurisdiction of the trial court is divested and that of the appellate court attaches upon the entering of the order of appeal.  Thereafter, the trial court has no jurisdiction to take any action except as otherwise provided by law and to:

(1)  Extend the return day of the appeal, the time for filing assignments of error, or the time for filing per curiam comments in accordance with Articles 844 and 919.

(2)  Correct an error or deficiency in the record.

(3)  Correct an illegal sentence or take other appropriate action pursuant to a properly made or filed motion to reconsider sentence.

(4)  Take all action concerning bail permitted by Title VIII.

(5)  Furnish per curiam comments.

(6)  Render an interlocutory order or a definitive judgment concerning a ministerial matter not in controversy on appeal.

(7)  Impose the penalty provided by Article 844.

(8)  Sentence the defendant pursuant to a conviction under the Habitual Offender Law as set forth in La. Rev. Stat. 15:529.1.

Amended by Acts 1968, No. 147, §1; Acts 1974, No. 207, §1; Acts 1984, No. 527, §1; Acts 1986, No. 851, §1; Acts 1991, No. 38, §2; Acts 1997, No. 642, §1.

{{NOTE:  SEE ACTS 1991, NO. 38, §3, FOR SPECIAL EFFECTIVE DATE FOR PARAGRAPH (3).}}