Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:139.16 – Contesting validity of taking; waiver of defenses
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:139.16
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property; the term "governing authority" means the city of Youngsville; and the term "project" means the Chemin Metairie Phase II Project. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:139.11
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
A. Any defendant desiring to contest the validity of the taking on the ground that the property was not expropriated for a public use may file a motion to dismiss the suit within fifteen days from the date the notice was served on him. He shall certify thereon that a copy thereof has been served personally or by mail on either the plaintiff or his attorney of record in the suit. This motion shall be tried contradictorily with preference to the judge alone and shall be decided prior to fixing the case for trial on the compensation or damages due to the defendant.
B. Failure to file the motion within the time provided or to serve a copy thereof on the plaintiff constitutes a waiver of all defenses to the suit except claims for compensation or damages.
Acts 2009, No. 290, §1, eff. July 1, 2009.