Schedule of Fees Traffic Tickets, License Suspension and DWI
During the initial consultation, whether in person or by phone, your matter will be discussed and a fee will be quoted to handle your particular situation. It is my policy to openly and thoroughly discuss attorney’s fee and potential court costs, fines, etc, so that there will be no surprises for the client.
It is not uncommon for new matters to arise during the representation of a client for an initial matter. When this occurs, additional fees are likely. I will always discuss new fees in advance with you before performing additional legal services.
Attorney fees must be paid in full in advance of legal services being provided. Ordinarily, I do not agree to payment plans. Fees may be charged to credit or debit cards. If a card is used to pay fees, a convenience fee of 4% may be added.
When out of pocket expenses are anticipated, there may be a need for the client to pay additional money into a “client escrow account”, which are funds segregated from my attorney business account. Any client funds that are not used from this account will be refunded to the client when the matter is completed.
I strongly encourage clients to openly discuss any concerns about the payment of attorney fees. We are talking about your money and your legal matter. You should never feel uncomfortable about discussing fees and costs.
The following examples are for typical and routine services. There can be variations of the following, but the amount of fees applicable to your situation will be discussed in advance, and you will not be obligated to pay any fees until there is a mutual agreement on the amount payable for attorney fees.
Traffic Tickets
Representation in Justice of the Peace Courts (JP) – Gulf Coast
Agreed Disposition without a trial
Class C Driver License - $135 for original ticket, $25 for each additional violation (Failure to Appear, No Insurance, No DL @ $50)
CDL - $175 for the original ticket, $35 for each additional violation (Failure to Appear, No Insurance, No DL @ $50)
Class C Driving While License Suspended or Invalid - $250
Any alcohol or Drug related Class C ticket - $250
Disorderly Conduct - $250
Assault Class C - $350
Theft Class C - $350
Representation in Justice of the Peace Courts (JP) – out of Gulf Coast
Same as Gulf Coast, but conditioned that the matter can be resolved without an in-person court appearance, and by phone, fax or email (which usually occurs).
Representation in Municipal Courts - Gulf Coast
Same as above but $150 for the original ticket, same as above for additional violations (Splendora, Patton Village, Roman Village and Woodbranch Village - $250 minimum)
Representation in Municipal Courts – out of Gulf Coast
Same as Municipal Courts in Gulf Coast, but conditioned that the matter can be resolved without an in-person court appearance, and by phone, fax or email (which usually occurs).
Trial to the Court (Bench trial) - $550
Trial by Jury - $750
License Suspension
Representation at a hearing in Gulf Coast - $350
Representation at a hearing out of Gulf Coast – to be quoted on a case by case basis
If additional services are required to clear up deficiencies of your license, in order to restore eligibility of your driver license before a hearing, additional fees will be incurred.
DWI
Representation in Gulf Coast base fee – up to three court appearances:
DWI 1st - $1,750
DWI 2nd - $2,500
DWI 3rd - $3,500
DWI with open container - add $500
DWI with Child Passenger - $3,500
Representation for Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Gulf Coast – one court appearance - $500
Representation for Occupational License (OL) - Gulf Coast – filing of Application and one court appearance - $600
Representation out of Gulf Coast ALR & OL– one court appearance - Add 50% to fees in Gulf Coast
Initial consultation with Scott Markowitz is Free of charge.