---
urn: urn:us-la:rs:15:1188
citation: "R.S. 15:1188"
status: active
breadcrumb: "Title 15 › Chapter 7 › Part XVI"
acts_citations:
  - { year: 1997, number: 731, section: 1, effective_date: 1997-07-09, role: enactment }
  - { year: 1998, number: 110, section: 1, effective_date: 1998-05-05, role: amendment }
  - { year: 2001, number: 801, section: 1, effective_date: 2001-06-26, role: amendment }
  - { year: 2025, number: 253, section: 1, effective_date: null, role: amendment }
---

# Judicial screening and service of process

A. The court shall review, before docketing if feasible or, in any event, before service on the defendants, a petition in a civil action in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. On review, the court shall identify cognizable claims or dismiss the petition, or any portion of the petition, if the petition is frivolous, is malicious, fails to state a cause of action, seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief, or fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

B. A court shall not authorize or permit service of a prisoner suit until compliance with both of the following:

(1) The screening required in Subsection A of this Section has been completed.

(2) The provisions of R.S. 15:1186(A)(1), (2), and (3) have been satisfied, if the plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis.

C. The clerk shall not have a prisoner suit served until specifically ordered to do so by the court as provided in Subsection B of this Section, and then the suit shall be served only upon those defendants specifically ordered by the court to be served.