Rocker’s Win In Court A Costly One Courtney Love Beats Rap, But Judge Sticks Her With Legal Bills

The judge who dismissed charges that rocker Courtney Love slugged two of her fans in Orlando has rejected her legal bill for $28,000, including photos and a limousine ride.

Now, another judge is sorting through the costs to see just how much the Seattle-based rock singer should receive from Orange County.

The acquittal ruling by County Judge Janis Halker last November opened the door for the defendant to seek reimbursement of some legal expenses, as provided by law. The judge ruled that the teenagers, allegedly struck during a March 1995 performance, were not exposed to any more violence than at other concerts.

But Halker nixed all of Love’s legal charges except $254 for subpoenas. The bill included $15,000 for expert witnesses, $1,000 for photo exhibits, $38.75 for a limousine ride and lawyer fees.

Love’s attorney, James Russ, protested. And Circuit Judge James Hauser began sifting through the bills on Friday in efforts to resolve the issue.

Russ co-counsel Tad Yates said a judge who gets the initial bill has no right to analyze whether the costs were reasonable and necessary. That is worked out later, he said.

Assistant County Attorney George Dorsett disagreed. Halker did not have to pass along a bill she did not consider reimbursable under the law, he said.

Parts of the bill are “quite unreasonable,” said Dorsett, adding that the limo ride was outrageous.

“A motion … for such costs as limo service is clearly frivolous,” Dorsett wrote in legal papers. “And Orange County should never have had to waste taxpayer money to defend against them.”