RULE 3.0                               SECURITY FOR COSTS

A.  The Clerk of Courts shall require an advance deposit for security for costs before filing of any civil action or proceedings pursuant to a schedule of costs as time to time authorized by the court. The Clerk shall maintain a copy of this schedule open to the public.

B.  On motion of the defendant, or request of the Clerk, and if satisfied that such deposit is insufficient, the Court may require it to be increased so as to secure all costs that may accrue. If a party makes an affidavit of inability to deposit security for costs, the Clerk shall receive and file the pleading only after approval by the Court

C.  When security for costs is given, the surety must be approved by the Clerk. The surety's obligation shall be complete by endorsing the summons or signing his name on the Complaint as surety for costs. He shall be bound for the payment of costs which may be adjudged against the plaintiff in the Court in which the action is brought, or any other Court to which it may be carried, and all costs taxed against the plaintiff in such action, he obtains a judgment or not.

D.  Where an affidavit of inability to make a deposit for costs is filed, the Court may personally examine the party who filed the affidavit and determine whether or not such affidavit is true, it was necessary to file the action or proceeding before the costs could be advanced or secured, or that the costs cannot, at the time of the hearing, be advanced or secured or decide the issue on the affidavit. In the event that the Court finds that such affidavit is untrue or unjustified, the judge may dismiss the case or continue it until the costs have been advanced or secured.

E.  The amount of the deposit or security generally required in any type of case shall not be increased without the authority of the Court and until 30 days notice of such increase has been posted in the Clerk’s office or on the Clerk’s website, except those required by statue.

F. The Clerk of Courts may, where there are three or more defendants in an action upon which service is requested, or when service by publication is requested at the outset of a lawsuit or at anytime during the pendency of the lawsuit, request additional costs in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of the additional service or service by publication

G.  In all cases or matters in which costs are taxed to a particular party, the Clerk shall send a bill for the Court costs to the attorney for the party and to the party. The Court costs shall be paid within 30 days of the receipt of the bill unless an appeal is filed.