Art. 503.  Comment on or inference from claim of privilege; instructions; exception

A.  Comment, inference, and instructions.

(1)  The claim of privilege, whether in the present proceeding or upon a prior occasion, is not a proper subject of comment by judge or counsel.  No inferences may be drawn therefrom.

(2)  In jury cases, proceedings shall be conducted, to the extent practicable, so as to facilitate the making of claims of privilege without the knowledge of the jury.

(3)  Upon request, any party against whom the jury might draw an adverse inference from a claim of privilege is entitled to an instruction that no inference may be drawn therefrom.

B.  Exception in non-criminal proceedings.  In non-criminal proceedings, under exceptional circumstances in the interest of justice, if a claim of privilege is sustained counsel may comment thereon, and, upon request, the court shall instruct the trier of fact that it may draw all reasonable inferences therefrom.

Acts 1992, No. 376, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993.