The minute clerk of a court shall keep the minutes of the court daily when in session and transcribe them into the minute book, as required by Article254; shall file all pleadings and documents tendered for filing in open court; and shall perform such other duties as are assigned to him by law, the court, and the clerk with the approval of the court. The minute clerk of a trial court shall administer the oath to jurors and witnesses and shall file all exhibits offered in evidence, when directed to do so by the court. If there are two or more judges on a trial court, its rules may require a minute clerk for each division thereof. When a court has no minute clerk, and there is no deputy clerk available for such duty, the clerk shall perform all of the duties of the minute clerk.
Art. 256.Minute Clerk
Title I. Courts · Chapter 5. Clerks · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 256 defines the minute clerk's job — keeping the daily record of court proceedings, filing papers tendered in open court, swearing in jurors and witnesses, and filing trial exhibits — and has the clerk of court step in personally when no minute clerk or deputy is available.
Full Text of Art. 256
Plain-English Summary
Someone has to sit in the courtroom and keep track of what happens while a case is being heard, and Article 256 gives that job to the minute clerk. Each day court is in session, the minute clerk keeps the minutes and transcribes them into the minute book required by Article 254, and files any pleading or document handed up for filing right there in open court.
In a trial court, the minute clerk has two more specific jobs: administering the oath to jurors and witnesses, and filing exhibits offered into evidence when the court directs. A court with more than one judge may, by its own rules, assign a separate minute clerk to each division.
Not every courthouse has a dedicated minute clerk. When there's none, and no deputy clerk is free to fill in, the clerk of court personally performs the minute clerk's duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a minute clerk do during a trial?
The minute clerk keeps the day's minutes, transcribes them into the minute book, administers the oath to jurors and witnesses, and files exhibits offered into evidence when the court directs.
Can I hand a document to the minute clerk during a hearing instead of going to the clerk's office?
Yes. Article 256 has the minute clerk file any pleading or document tendered for filing in open court.
What happens if a court doesn't have a minute clerk?
A deputy clerk fills in if one is available. If not, the clerk of court personally performs the minute clerk's duties.
Does each judge on a multi-judge court get a separate minute clerk?
A court with two or more judges may adopt rules requiring a minute clerk for each division.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: minute clerk duties Louisianacourtroom clerk oath jurorswho files exhibits at trialminute clerk vs clerk of court