Informing client of special costs

Informing client of special costs

Rather than unpleasantly surprising the client at a later point in time, it is best to inform the client, at the time of the initial fee discussion, of the many possible extra costs involved in handling a computer crime case. It should be made clear to the client that he or she is expected to pay these costs. These costs include fees paid to ordinary witnesses and to expert witnesses.

Other special costs include fees paid to additional attorneys and investigators; cost of researchers; costs of producing demonstrative evidence like charts, photographs, tape-recordings, etc.; duplication and indexing costs; and, conceivably, considerable costs involved in the use of computers to support the defendant's version of the case. Note that in describing special costs, the costs of EDP auditors and computer information security practitioner should not be overlooked.FN89