Relating to applications for appeal filed with an appellate court.
Impact
The proposed changes aim to create a more transparent and efficient system regarding legal fees associated with appeals. By detailing out the exact fees required for various services in the appellate process, the bill could enhance predictability for both attorneys and litigants. This could reduce potential disputes over costs and ensure that all parties are informed of the necessary fees at the outset of legal proceedings, potentially improving access to the courts.
Summary
Senate Bill 1267 seeks to amend various sections of the Government Code relating to the fees associated with applications for appeals filed with appellate courts in Texas. The bill outlines specific fees for filing different types of legal documents such as petitions for review, motions for leave, and other proceedings in both the Supreme Court and courts of appeals. Notably, it establishes a framework for fee collection by clerks in these courts, streamlining processes that have previously been more fragmented.
Contention
While SB1267 appears primarily administrative in nature, discussions around the bill have raised concerns regarding the implications of standardized fees. Some lawmakers have voiced worries that increasing fees or altering existing structures could disproportionately affect low-income individuals seeking to navigate the appellate system. For many, the financial burden could create obstacles to achieving justice, particularly in civil cases where the stakes are high but the resources may be limited.
Relating to the creation of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals with jurisdiction over certain civil cases, the compensation of the justices of that court, and the jurisdiction of the courts of appeals in this state.
Relating to the creation of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals with jurisdiction over certain civil cases, the compensation of the justices of that court, and the jurisdiction of the courts of appeals in this state; authorizing fees.