Case Information
*1 The Attorney General of Texas Feb:ruary 21, 1986
JIM MATTOX
Attorney General Eoaorablc David Cain Opinion No. JM-441 Supreme Court Building Chaitman P. 0. Box 12548 Colmnittee on Transp,Drtation Re: Whether administrative fees may Austin, TX. 76711. 2548 512,475.2501 Texas Eouse of Representatives be assessed by a justice of the Telex 9101874.1367 P. 0. Box 2910 peace or a municipal judge in Telecopier 5121475.0266 Austin, Texas 787859 traffic cases arising under article
6701d. section 143A, V.T.C.S.
714 Jackson, sldte 700 Dallas, TX. 752024508 Dear Representative Cain: 2141742-8944
You ask the folloving two questions: 4824 Alberta Ave.. Suite 160 1. Mcy municipal and justice of the peace El Paso, TX. 799052793 915/533-3484 courts assess an administrative fee to defendants
in administering provisions of article 6701d, section 1#13A, V.T.C.S.? IWl Texas, Suite 700 Houston, TX. 77002-3111 2. May municipal and justice of the peace 713i223.5886 courts awess an administrative referral fee to Texas Department of Safety approved or licensed 808 Broadway, Suite 312 Class 4 CDTS schools which provide driver safety Lubbock, TX. 79401-3479 courses tso section L43A defendants? 8061747-5238
Section 143A of article 6701d provides for the dismissal of 4309 N. Tenth, Suite B certain misdemeanor charges upon completion of a driving safety course ,&Allen, TX. 78501-1685 by the defendant. The defensive driving course must be one approved 512,882.4547 by the Texas Department of Public Safety or by the court. See
V.T.C.S. art. 670111, §143A(a)(L), (2). You state that a municiq 200 Main Plaza, Suite 400 court contracted with certain providers of approved courses to present San Antonio, TX. 782052797 a list of the prcviders to section 143A defendants. In return, the 512/225-4191 course provider pays the municipal court a fee for each course
completion by a section 143A defendant. These fees are used to defray the costs of administering the section 143A dismissal program. An Equal OppOrtUnityI Affirmative Action Employer
It is well-established that a fee may not be charged unless the fee is provided for by law. Attorney General Opinion JM-346 (1985); see also Attorney, General Opinions JM-357 (1985); JM-165, JM-158, JM-153 (1984); JM-113, JM-22 (1983). Article 6701d does not authorize the imposition o,E an administrative referral fee either against defendants or again,st the providers of defensive driving courses. See also Code Grim. Pwc. art. 45.07 (no costs shall be provided forby p. 2011
Honorable David Cain - Page :I (JM-441)
ordinance); cf. Code Grim. :Proc. art. 45.06 (authorizing special fee for the issuance and serrice of warrant of arrest for violating promise to appear under sect:Lon 149 of article 6701d).
SUMMARY Article 6701d dl>es not authorize the imposition of an administrative referral fee in cases arising under the section 143A program for the dismissal of certain misdenranor charges upon completion of a driving safety course by defendant. No such fee may be assessed ag;sinst section 143A defendants or against the providers of driving safety courses without statutory ;authorizstion.
Very truly your J W
&
JIM MATTOX Attorney General of Texas JACK HIGBTOWRR
First Assistant Attorney Gemera
MARY KELLER
Executive Assistant Attorney General
ROBERT GRAY
Special Assistant Attorney G#eneral
RICK GILPIN
Chairman, Opinion Committee
Prepared by Jennifer Riggs
Assistant Attorney General
P. 2012