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About Robert
Biography
Fee Information & Payment Options
Fees for legal representation and services are set on a case by case basis, tailored to the specifics of the issue at hand. We do not have a set fee schedule that is wholly dependent on the charges. For a fee quote, contact us to talk about your case -- Initial consultations are free.
About Legal Fees
Legal Fees are the payment to the Lawyer for their work on the case, including legal research, legal writing and court documents, court appearances, jail visits or phone conversations, and speaking with witnesses and the district attorney.
At the Law Office of Robert L Keates, most payments for legal services are Flat Fees, meaning one fee is paid for a certain legal service. Typically a case is broken into two areas for purposes of a flat fee. The first area contains all the legal work, research, court appearances, pre-trial work, office or phone consults, writing and arguing of legal motions, and if applicable, a plea. The second area contains the trial.
In most cases, a Flat Fee for the first area of representation described above is settled upon when a client signs the Fee Agreement for Legal Services, thereby hiring the lawyer for representation. If the case progresses to trial, a second fee is then charged, and often that fee amount is discussed and agreed upon ahead of time; it is not paid until the trial is not only approaching but decided upon by the client. Aside from a flat fee arrangement, in rare cases, a client and attorney may enter into a retainer agreement, where the attorney will work and charge at an hourly rate. As described below, we use a retainer type structure to provide for legal costs, rather than month to month billing.
About Legal Costs
Legal costs differ from legal fees in that the costs are for expenses the attorney must pay for in order to move forward with the defense of your case, such as discovery and materials from the district attorney, copies, case law printouts, video tapes, audio tapes, and parking. These expenses are not included in the legal fee, and the client is responsible for the payment of legal costs in addition to the legal fee. Legal costs are charged to the client "at cost" -- no surcharge is added for handling or other tasks. In other words, the client pays for the actual cost of the item, and no more.
In order to accomodate clients in the most cost effective manner, legal costs are typically are handled with a retainer type agreement where the client gives the lawyer a set amount of money to pay for legal costs as they are due. The legal cost retainer payment remains in a seperate account from the legal fee, and is deducted from each time a legal cost is paid, much like a debit card.
In most cases, a legal cost retainer of $500 is required. At the end of the case, the client is forwarded a list of all legal costs incurred during the case, and refunded any excess that was not used. If the legal costs accumulate to more than $500, another retainer agreement is entered into.
About Legal Costs for Investigation & Expert Witnesses
Seperate from legal fees and legal costs are the expenses for investigators and expert witnesses. These individuals, and their involvement in your case, are considered third parties, and are not employees of our Law Office. Therefore, their costs are due upfront, and are forwarded to the party. It is important to consider the cost, at least of an investigator, when budgeting for the defense of your case.
About Payment Options
Although we do not accept cash payments, we do accept the following types of payments:
- Money Order or Cashier's Check ;
- Electronic Bank Transfer or Wire;
- Personal Check; *Check must clear before considered valid
- Credit Card. *Service charge may apply
About Payment Plans.
We offer limited payment plans for some cases in situations of special need, however half of the fee must be paid, along with a valid credit card number on record, which will be charged on a specified date if the remaining balance is unpaid.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
40%
21 years
DUI and DWI
40%
21 years
Expungement
10%
21 years
Domestic Violence
5%
21 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 25-350 per hour
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 16 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 18 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 19 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 20 years
State: California
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
Keates Law Firm
901 Mopac Expressway South, Building 1, Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78746
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Robert Keates's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
5 Client Reviews
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Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by anonymous | September 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Better call Keates...
I needed to obtain an occupational driver’s license and had no idea how to navigate the legal system. Mr. Keates was the first attorney I contacted, and I’m very glad I did. He explained the process to me thoroughly and patiently answered my questions. He followed up on everything in a timely and eff...
Posted by anonymous | June 04, 2013
21st birthday mishap
Mr. Keates helped me through a 21st birthday mishap. He called me answered all of my questions and was very professional. I strongly recommend him for your mishaps/lawyer needs.
Robert Keates's Lawyer Endorsements
"Robert is one of the most hardworking attorneys in Central Texas. He is thorough in his client's defense and passionately involved in every case."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. An outstanding and well respected attorney in the legal community. I would recommend him wholeheartedly to annyone needing legal representation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He had provided an Outstanding analysis and answers on several issues. that I have taken note of."
"I endorse this lawyer. It is clear by reading the answers in the AVVO community that this lawyer is a top notch attorney who is highly respected in the legal community."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I have had the opportunity to see Robert in court many times, and he always has a professional demeanor and positive disposition. He really has his head and heart in the game, and his clients are lucky to have someone who cares as he does."
"Mr. Keates and I were assigned to the Fullerton North Justice Center together when he was still with the Orange County Public Defender in California. He is an excellent attorney. I have seen him litigate several matters, and he is superb at cross-examining hostile witnesses. He has an L.L.M. in trial advocacy, and it shows in the courtroom. I have no doubt he will be a shining star in the Austin defense bar."
"I worked with Mr. Keates back when we were both deputy public defenders in Orange County, California. I was able to watch him in trial on several occasions. He is, without a doubt, an excellent litigator, and the type of attorney who really cares deeply for his clients. We miss him here in California, but I'm sure his clients in Texas are grateful to have such an intelligent, compassionate advocate on their side."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"California's loss was Texas' gain. At least now I've got a great lawyer to call and help me out of a jam if I'm ever stopped in Texas. Robert is an ACE!"
"Mr. Keates was an excellent Public Defender and continues to provide superior service for his clients. He has extensive legal knowledge and is brilliant in the courtroom."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. His knowledge of the law is superb and his dedication to his clients yields results that exceed expectations. Moreover, hIs commitment is matched by his skills in the courtroom. Having worked alongside Mr. Keates for several years as a public defender, he never ceased to impress; even on the most difficult cases. I can honestly say that if I needed legal representation on a criminal matter, he would be the first person I would ask for help."
"I worked with Mr. Keates as a public defender handling criminal matters in CA. He has the experience and professionalism that transcends jurisdiction and I would gladly refer a Texas client to him. I endorse this lawyer's work."
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Experience
Honors
2009
Don Simms Attorney of the Year Award, Orange County Public Defenders Office
2009
Litigator of the Month, Juvenile Public Defneder's Office, OCPD, CA
2009
602 Defender of the Month, OCPD Office
Work Experience
2009 - Present
Attorney, Keates Law Firm
2009 - 2017
LAWYER, LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT L. KEATES, P.C.
2006 - 2010
Lawyer, Orange County Public Defender
2005 - 2006
Attorney, Lawyer Extern, San Diego Federal Defenders, INC
2004 - 2004
Clerk, 6th Circuit District Court, Honorable Judge Minaldi
Associations
2015 - Present
DUI Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2015 - Present
NORML Legal CommitteeLegal Team - Attorney TX
2010 - Present
Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer’s AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Austin-Criminal-Lawyers-Association (Web Based)Member
2009 - Present
Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer’s AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Austin Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Texas Young Lawyer’s AssociationMember
2009 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember
2006 - Present
California Public Defender’s AssociationMember
2006 - Present
California Attorney’s for Criminal JusticeMember
2005 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Los Angeles Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
District of Columbia Bar AssociationMember
2002 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Assault JURY TRIAL
NOT GUILTY
Not Guilty Trial
Not Guilty
Two Theft cases and a Bail Jumping
Dismissed
DWI Case Reduced, then dismissed
Dismissed
Theft Class A
Dismissed
Marijuana Possession
Dismissed
Crack Cocaine Sales reduced
reduced to state jail felony simple possession, no probation, 10 months with backtime credits.
DUI DWI Jury Trial
Reduced to NON-DUI/DWI "Reckless Driving"
Marijuana Pipe
15 days non-jail work
DWI Arrest for under .08%
Acquitted for DWI offense after Jury trial
Police Brutality & Domestic Violence
no jail
POM Dismissed
Dismissed
Education
2006
California Western School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
2005
Hofstra University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
West Chester U
B.A & B.S.
Speaking Engagements
2009
Informational for Students of Criminal Justice in CA
Juvenile Courtroom & Criminal Justice Overview
Publications
2006
California Western School of Law
Why Do the Poor Get a Free Attorney? The Legal Aspects of the 6th Amendment, 2006.
2005
Law Office of Robert Keates
Katz is out of the Bag: Katz’s Weaknesses & the Rapidly Emerging Technology of Today and the Future, 2005.
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Please tell me what the charges below mean..
03 Dec 2013
Q&A
Texas Suspension for out of state dwi conviction - hearing request
23 Oct 2013
Q&A
Would it be possible to take out of the way I.S.F and instead take some classes here in Austin instead of going for 3 months?
09 Oct 2013
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
WHAT IS A CRIME OF MORAL TURPITUDE? (TEXAS)
29 Sep 2011
Legal Guide
Marijuana Possession and Marijuana for Personal Use Guide
13 Nov 2010
Legal Guide
Mortgage Fraud Arrest& White Collar Crime - Texas
13 Nov 2010