Our office has received two invoices in the past week from a bank and a hospital for fees relating to the preparation of documents in response to a grand jury subpoena.

Does anyone have a standard letter which you send to these places with an explanation as to why we will not pay the fees? And is there a definitive statute and/or case which allows us to refuse to pay their fees?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I don't have a letter but you can copy and send them an AG opinion that states they may not recover costs associated with compliance with a GJ subpoena.

Tex. Atty. Gen Op. JC-0181 from 2000

Regarding records from financial institutions, see also Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, volume 2, Section 30.007(b)(3), wherein it states in relevant part that: ...[this section] does not apply to...(3)a record request from or report to a government agency arising out of the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense.

Hope this helps.

Coming your way.

No taking is involved, so this a public duty cost properly imposed on the bank. But, guess who actually pays these costs. Preston

Other helpful posts from the past on this topic include:

Grand Jury Subpoena and Invoice for Payment (2008)

Bill for Medical Records from UTMB (2006)

What do you mean, Martin? In this case the Bank ended up eating the cost, although I suspect it is far smaller than what they were seeking.

Can someone send this letter to me as well. Just got a similar call from a phone company ending with "...oh you will pay!"