Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1456 – Notice of charges; hearing; censure, suspension, or revocation of license, registration, or certificate; criminal action
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1456
- Agent: means a licensee acting under the provisions of this Chapter in a real estate transaction. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Associate broker: means a person who holds a broker's license and who is exclusively affiliated with and sponsored by another licensed real estate broker to participate in any activity described in this Section. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Commission: means the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- Licensee: means any person who has been issued a license by the commission to participate in any activity described in this Section. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
- Qualifying broker: means the sponsoring broker for a licensed corporation, limited liability company, or partnership and is the individual real estate broker designated by a licensed corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, by resolution, as its representative in all matters relating to its real estate business activities in Louisiana and in administrative and regulatory matters before the commission. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Real estate: shall mean and include condominiums and leaseholds, as well as any other interest in land, with the exceptions of oil, gas and other minerals and whether the real estate is situated in this state or elsewhere. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Sponsoring broker: means any individual real estate broker who sponsors associate brokers or real estate salespersons who participate in any activity described in this Section. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1431
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
A.(1) Before censuring, suspending, or revoking any license or registration, or certification, or imposing continuing education requirements, the Louisiana Real Estate Commission shall, except for the reasons set forth in La. Rev. Stat. 37:1463(G), notify in writing the licensee or person registered or certified of any charges made, at least twenty days prior to the date set for the hearing, and shall afford him an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel. Notice shall be satisfied by mailing a copy of the charges by certified mail to the licensee’s, registrant’s, or certificate holder’s address on file with the commission or by commission personnel hand delivering a copy of the charges to the licensee, registrant, or certificate holder.
(2) The written notice may be served either personally on a broker or salesperson or the registered agent for a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, or sent by registered or certified mail to the last known business address of the licensee or registered agent.
(3) If the licensee is an associate broker or a salesperson, the commission also shall inform the sponsoring broker of the specific charges against the associate broker or salesperson by sending notice thereof by registered or certified mail to the broker’s last known business address.
(4) If the licensee is a corporate, partnership, or limited liability broker, the commission shall inform the designated qualifying broker and the registered agent of the specific charges against the licensee by sending notice thereof by registered or certified mail to the last known business address of the qualifying broker or the registered agent.
(5) If the licensee is a designated qualifying broker for one or more licensed corporations, limited liability companies, or partnerships, the commission shall inform each corporation, limited liability company, or partnership represented by the broker of the specific charges against the broker by sending notice thereof by registered or certified mail to the registered agent for each corporation, limited liability company, or partnership represented by the broker.
(6) The commission shall have the power to subpoena and issue subpoenas duces tecum and to bring before it any person in this state, or take testimony by deposition, in the same manner prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in the courts of this state, or to require production of any records relevant to an inquiry or hearing by the commission. Any final decision or determination of the commission shall be reviewable by the Nineteenth Judicial District Court in the parish of East Baton Rouge.
B.(1) The hearing on the charges shall be at a time and place prescribed by the commission and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
(2) The commission may make findings of fact and shall deliver or mail such findings to the licensee charged with an offense under the provisions of this Part. Any finding of fact by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall be conclusive.
(3) The Nineteenth Judicial District Court of the state may review questions of law involved in any final decision of the commission. Any application for review made by an aggrieved party shall be filed within thirty days after the final decision of the commission.
(4) If the court finds that the Louisiana Real Estate Commission has regularly pursued its authority and has not acted arbitrarily, it shall affirm the decision, order, or ruling of the commission. If a petition to review the final decision of the commission is filed, the case shall be specifically fixed for trial within thirty days from the filing of an answer by the commission.
C. Administrative proceedings under this Chapter before the commission are not exclusive remedies. Criminal action under the terms of this Chapter may be simultaneously instituted and maintained against the accused for any violation of this Chapter. The commission may also separately or simultaneously bring and carry on an action by injunction to restrain a licensed or unlicensed individual from further violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter, during the pendency of the criminal proceeding or proceedings before the commission and against any unlawful practice thereafter.
Acts 1978, No. 514, §1; Acts 1983, No. 552, §2; Acts 1989, No. 655, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1997, No. 845, §1; Acts 1999, No. 452, §2; Acts 2003, No. 713, §1.