Orange, TX asked in Legal Malpractice, Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Texas

Q: Is it legal for a bondsman to refer an attorney when both know the judge personally and they know the clients money amnt

The bondsman is good friends with a lawyer he refers and the judge on a criminal case. They know how much money the client has and the court fees and bond magically goes up

1 Lawyer Answer
Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Austin, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: Was it just a friendly referral? If the attorney compensates the bondsman for the referral it might be the crime of "Barratry and Solicitation of Professional Employment" see Penal Code 38.12. If that happened then the client can void the contract with the attorney and file a lawsuit to recover the fee, if they win the can also recover a $10K penalty against the attorney that committed barratry plus that attorney has to pay the client's civil attorney... See Government Code section 82.0651.

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