HUGHES v. CAPITAL CITY PRESS (2026)

Writ application granted. See per curiam.

Defendants filed an application with this Court seeking clarification as to whether a joint petition for consent discipline filed in In re Hughes, 21-00771 (La. 6/30/21), 319 So. 3d 839, is a public record. When an order is entered pursuant to a petition for consent discipline, as was done in In re Hughes, “the pleadings filed with the Court shall become public, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.” See La. Sup. Ct. Rule XXIII, § 30(e); In re Hughes, 319 So. 3d at 843. While an exception is allowed for “any sealed memorandum provided to the Court by the Commission” under Subpart (c) of Section 30, the subject pleading is a joint petition filed pursuant to Subpart (a) of Section 30. See La. Sup. Ct. Rule XXIII, § 30(a), (c), (e). After entering the consent-discipline order in In re Hughes, this Court did not order the pleadings in that proceeding remain under seal. The joint petition for consent discipline attached to the defendants’ application is a public document.

Hughes, J., recused.