Opinion
NO. 2013 KW 2267
03-24-2014
STATE OF LOUISIANA v. RALPH T. WOOD, JR.
In Re: Ralph T. Wood, Jr., applying for supervisory writs, 21st Judicial District Court, Parish of Tangipahoa, Nos. 1-200530, 2012-000010.
BEFORE: WHIPPLE, C.J., WELCH AND CRAIN, JJ.
WRIT DENIED. Relator must follow the procedures set forth in La. R.S. 44:35(C). See also State ex rel. McKnight v. State, 98-2258 (La. App. 1st Cir. 12/3/98), 742 So.2d 894 (per curiam). A person who desires to examine public records must make the request to the custodian of the records. See La. R.S. 44:31 & 44:32. If a request for public records is denied by the custodian, before seeking relief from this Court, the person must first institute civil proceedings for a writ of mandamus at the trial court level. See La. R.S. 44:35(A). Should the person prevail, he should be prepared to pay the regular service fees for copies of the documents. McKnight, 742 So. 2d at 8 95; State ex rel. Nash v. State, 604 So. 2d 1054 (La. App. 1st Cir. 1992).
WJC
VGW
JEW
COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST CIRCUIT ________________
DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT
FOR THE COURT