Honorable David Cain Chairman Committee on Transportation Texas House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78769
Re: Whether administrative fees may be assessed by a justice of the peace or a municipal judge in traffic cases arising under article 6701d, section 143A, V.T.C.S.
Dear Representative Cain:
You ask the following two questions:
1. May municipal and justice of the peace courts assess an administrative fee to defendants in administering provisions of article 6701d, section 143A, V.T.C.S.?
2. May municipal and justice of the peace courts assess an administrative referral fee to Texas Department of Safety approved or licensed Class 4 CDTS schools which provide driver safety courses to section 143A defendants?
Section 143A of article 6701d provides for the dismissal of certain misdemeanor charges upon completion of a driving safety course by the defendant. The defensive driving course must be one approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety or by the court. See V.T.C.S. art. 6701d, § 143A(a)(1), (2). You state that a municipal court contracted with certain providers of approved courses to present a list of the providers to section 143A defendants. In return, the 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.
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 of an administrative referral fee either against defendants or against the providers of defensive driving courses. See also Code Crim.Proc. art. 45.07 (no costs shall be provided for by ordinance); cf. Code Crim.Proc. art.45.06 (authorizing special fee for the issuance and service of warrant of arrest for violating promise to appear under section 149 of article 6701d).
SUMMARY Article 6701d does not authorize the imposition of an administrative referral fee in cases arising under the section 143A program for the dismissal of certain misdemeanor charges upon completion of a driving safety course by defendant. No such fee may be assessed against section 143A defendants or against the providers of driving safety courses without statutory authorization.
Very truly yours,
Jim Mattox Attorney General of Texas
Jack Hightower First Assistant Attorney General
Mary Keller Executive Assistant Attorney General
Robert Gray Special Assistant Attorney General
Rick Gilpin Chairman, Opinion Committee
Prepared by Jennifer Riggs Assistant Attorney General