Art. 14.1. Filing of pleadings and documents by facsimile or electronic transmission

            A. Any document in a traffic or criminal action may be filed with the clerk of court by facsimile transmission if permitted by the policy of the clerk of court. Filing shall be deemed complete at the time the facsimile transmission is received by the clerk of court. No later than on the first business day after receiving a facsimile filing, the clerk of court shall transmit to the filing party via facsimile a confirmation of receipt and include a statement of the fees for the facsimile filing and filing of the original document. The facsimile filing fee and transmission fee are incurred upon receipt of the facsimile filing by the clerk of court and payable as provided in Subsection B of this Section. The facsimile filing shall have the same force and effect as filing the original document, if the party complies with Paragraph B of this Article.

            B. Within seven days, exclusive of legal holidays, after the clerk of court receives the facsimile filing, all of the following shall be delivered to the clerk of court:

            (1) The original document identical to the facsimile filing in number of pages and in content of each page including any attachments, exhibits, and orders. A document not identical to the facsimile filing or which includes pages not included in the facsimile filing shall not be considered the original document.

            (2) The fees for the facsimile filing and filing of the original document stated on the confirmation of receipt, if any.

            (3) A transmission fee of five dollars, if the defendant had not been declared indigent by the court.

            C. If the filing party fails to comply with any of the requirements of Paragraph B of this Article, the facsimile filing shall have no force or effect.

            D. Any court district may provide by court rule for any additional requirement or provisions for filings by facsimile transmission.

            E. In keeping with the clerk's policy, each clerk of court shall make available the necessary equipment and supplies to accommodate facsimile filing in criminal actions. Purchases for equipment and supplies necessary to accommodate facsimile filings may be funded from any expense fund of the office of the clerk of court as the clerks deem appropriate.

            F. The filings as provided in this Article and all other provisions of this Code may be transmitted electronically in accordance with a system established by a clerk of court or by the Louisiana Clerks' Remote Access Authority. When such a system is established, the clerk of court shall adopt and implement procedures for the electronic filing and storage of any pleading, document, or exhibit. Furthermore, in a parish that accepts electronic filings covered under this Paragraph, the official record shall be the electronic record. A pleading or document filed electronically is deemed filed on the date and time stated on the confirmation of electronic filing sent from the system, if the clerk of court accepts the electronic filing. Public access to electronically filed pleadings and documents shall be in accordance with the rules governing access to written filings.

            Acts 2001, No. 319, §3; Acts 2016, No. 109, §2; Acts 2021, No. 341, §1.