Section 5181 - Privilege of litigating without prior payment of costsA. Except as provided in Paragraph B of this Article, an individual who is unable to pay the costs of court because of his poverty and lack of means may prosecute or defend a judicial proceeding in any trial or appellate court without paying the costs in advance or as they accrue or furnishing security therefor.B. In the event any person seeks to prosecute a suit in a court of this state while incarcerated or imprisoned for the commission of a felony without paying the costs in advance as they accrue or furnishing security thereof, the court shall require such person to advance costs in accordance with the following schedule:Prisoner's Present Assets | Advance Cost To Be Paid |
Minimum Amount | Maximum Amount | Minimum Amount | Maximum Amount |
$ 0.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 3.00 |
$ 20.01 | $ 45.00 | $ 3.00 | $ 9.00 |
$ 45.01 | $ 65.00 | $9.00 | $15.00 |
$ 65.01 | $ 85.00 | $15.00 | $21.00 |
$ 85.01 | $105.00 | $21.00 | $27.00 |
$105.01 | $125.00 | $27.00 | $33.00 |
$125.01 | $145.00 | $33.00 | $39.00 |
$145.01 | $165.00 | $39.00 | $45.00 |
$165.01 | $185.00 | $45.00 | $51.00 |
$185.01 | $205.00 | $51.00 | $57.00 |
$205.01 | $225.00 | $57.00 | $63.00 |
$225.01 | $245.00 | $63.00 | $69.00 |
$245.01 | $265.00 | $69.00 | $75.00 |
$265.01 | $285.00 | $75.00 | $81.00 |
$285.01 | $305.00 | $81.00 | $87.00 |
$305.01 | $325.00 | $87.00 | $93.00 |
$325.01 | $345.00 | $93.00 | $99.00 |
$345.01 | $365.00 | $99.00 | $105.00 |
$365.01 | Up | $105.00 to all advance costs |
C. The court for good cause shown may require a prisoner to pay more or less advance cost than is required by the schedule in Paragraph B of this Article if the court finds that the prisoner's prior financial record makes reliance on his present economic status inappropriate.Amended by Acts 1964, No. 336, §1; Acts 1972, No. 663, §1. Acts 1984, No. 509, §1.Amended by Acts 1964, No. 336, §1; Acts 1972, No. 663, §1. Acts 1984, No. 509, §1.