court costs

n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to attorneys, who then pass them on to their clients or, in some kinds of cases, to the losing party. Court costs usually include: filing fees, charges for serving summons and subpenas, court reporter charges for depositions (which can be very expensive), court transcripts, and copying papers and exhibits. The prevailing party in a law suit is usually awarded court costs. Attorneys' fees can be included as court costs only if there is a statute providing for attorneys fee awards in a particular type of case, or if the case involved a contract which had an attorneys' fee clause (commonly found in promissory notes, mortgages and deeds of trust). If a losing party does not agree with the claimed court costs (included in a filed cost bill) he/she/it may move (ask) the judge to "tax costs" (meaning reduce or disallow the cost), resulting in a hearing at which the court determines which costs to allow and in what amount (how much.) (See: cost bill, prevailing party)

References in classic literature ?

To his sentence there were added "court costs" of a dollar and a half--he was supposed to pay for the trouble of putting him in jail, and not having the money, was obliged to work it off by three days more of toil.

View in context

Sentence: The 53-year-old, ofBlindley Heathin Lingfield, was fined [pounds sterling]300, as well as [pounds sterling]85 in court costs and a victim surcharge of [pounds sterling]32.

Drink-driving and drug possession among range of sentencings from one day at Guildford Magistrates' Court; SurreyLive has compiled a list of all of the sentencing cases at Guildford Magistrates' Court

Following his guilty plea, Doak, 32, of Abbey Road, Whitley, was handed 100 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay PS500 compensation, PS1,000 court costs and a PS85 victim surcharge.

Court orders out of control bulldog to be put down

Capital One Bank (U.S.A.) filed a small claim against Lacy Reams, Du Quoin, for $2,804.87 plus court costs.

Perry County Court report

Fined PS37, ordered to pay PS8.60 compensation, PS20 victim surcharge and PS85 court costs.

North Tyneside; COURTS IN BRIEF

He was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and to pay a PS60 victim surcharge and PS85 court costs.

BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

Danby, 27, of 227 Sterling St., Clinton, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, subsequent offense, dismissed upon payment of $100 in court costs. Charge brought by the Clinton Police.

Clinton District Court Log

CASES heard at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 14, included: Wayne Parker, aged 41, of Emerald Court, Olton, guilty of stealing a Samsung Laptop and CD from Sainsbury, sentenced to 40 hours community service and must pay PS60 court costs. Mussie Belay, aged 35, of Rea Tower, Mosborough Crescent, Newtown, guilty of working while claiming jobseekers allowance, fined PS255, pay PS80 court costs and PS25 victim surcharge.

IN THE COURTS

As a result, the taxability of litigation proceeds and the deductibility of related legal fees and court costs have become somewhat clearer.

New rules, new ruling: the tax treatment of litigation proceeds and legal fees

An arrestee brought a civil rights action under [section] 1983, alleging that his constitutional rights were violated by his warrantless detention on a drunk driving charge, and a civil debt-related incarceration for failure to pay fines and court costs. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants and the arrestee appealed.

Alkire v. Irving

Keegan was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, fined PS100 and ordered to pay PS185 court costs and a PS115 victim surcharge.

Man who made 170 indecent images of children spared jail; In the courts

LVNV Funding filed a small claim against Joyce Bauza, in the amount of $3,290.79 plus court costs.