CHAPTER 84. UNAUTHORIZED ATTORNEY COMPENSATION - Texas Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH

SUBTITLE G. ATTORNEYS

CHAPTER 84. UNAUTHORIZED ATTORNEY COMPENSATION

Sec. 84.001. PROHIBITED ACTS. Before the conclusion of all

aspects of a criminal matter that gives rise to an attorney's

employment, an attorney may not make or negotiate an agreement

with a client, a prospective client, or former client that

provides the attorney literary or media rights to a portrayal or

account based in substantial part on information relating to the

representation.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 982, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 84.002. CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense

if, while acting as an attorney, the person agrees to accept as

compensation for legal advice provided by the person in a

criminal matter the right to publish, in print, film, or

otherwise, the account of a crime or the events associated with a

crime.

(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 982, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 84.003. CIVIL LIABILITY. (a) A person, including the

victim of a crime or the estate of a victim of a crime, may bring

suit against an attorney whose violation of Section 84.001

results in damages incurred by the person bringing the suit.

(b) A person who brings suit under this section is entitled to

recover:

(1) actual damages caused to the person bringing the suit by the

publication of the account of the crime;

(2) exemplary damages in an amount determined by the court;

(3) reasonable attorney's fees; and

(4) court costs.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 982, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 84.004. CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. This chapter is cumulative of

other law under which a person may obtain judicial relief. An

administrative, civil, or criminal action brought against an

attorney based on a violation of this chapter does not limit or

restrict another action against the attorney by the same or

another person.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 982, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.