The bill is continuing to go up for South Valley residents
relying on an attorney to represent them in court or for many other
court-related matters.
The bill is continuing to go up for South Valley residents relying on an attorney to represent them in court or for many other court-related matters.
On Aug. 1, the state’s Legislative Analysts’ Office began enacting 12 new or increased trial fees.
The result of the unprecedented fee hikes and new fees will be soaring attorney bills for the general public.
It could also mean that low-income residents can’t afford their day in court, said John Alvarez, a Gilroy attorney.
“When you raise so many fees at once you force attorneys to work on retainers instead of contingency and you’re telling low-income people that they might not be able to get their day in court,” Alvarez said. “This is not a good thing for anyone.”
Alvarez attributes the unprecedented increase in fees as an attempt to sure up the state’s massive budget shortfall.
Four new fees began being implemented Aug. 1, including a $20 security fee, a $100 fee for continuing a trial, a $25 court reporter fee and a $500 fee for “complex cases.”
Complex cases are usually defined by a judge as “complex” due to a large amount of plaintiffs or defendants or unusual circumstances.
Appellate Court filing fees have rising the most dramatically since Aug. 1. On the first of the month the appellate filing fee rose from $265 to $420, the transcript fee from $100 to $270 and the Supreme Court filing fee from $265 to $420.
A number of other fees increased on Aug. 1 as well. Small claims filing fees jumped from $35 to $60, and the limited jurisdiction filing fee more than doubled from $90 to $185.
“These fees hinder solo practitioners,” Alvarez said. “It’s something that’s going to cost anyone relying on an attorney for their day in court.”
For more information on the fees and the California Legislative Analyst’s Office go to www.lao.ca.gov/lao
