I assume he did not get a signed contract? I always get a very specific contract signed. Which outlines the work to be performed an estimate of hours needed to do the project and details of payment. Under the circumstances you outline I would not finish the project because he will then be subject to being a witness. Better to not know anything so he will not spend days in court... or should I say spend days in the corridor waiting for his 2 or 3 hours of testimony. Halt work and advise them what it will cost. If they do not want to pay return the drive with a letter that say I was unable to finish the project per your decision to not pay a reasonable fee and therefore I have no testimonial evidence to present other than you do not what to pay a reasonable fee. I am not a lawyer so please consult one. Technomage-hawke wrote: I'm in a bit of a quandary here guys and I need a little advice. A friend of mine back in Missouri took a computer forensics gig this last week and was running the software required to analyze the drive in question. the Public defenders office in this case didn't say anything else until today (fully a week after he had started work). today, they informed him that there would be a $1,000 cap on any work done. However, he has altready done over $4,800 in work. He asked me what I would do in this case (since thats not my line of work presently, I was unsure how to proceed): 1. require the pay the entire sum (and possibly give up any future contracts from the P.D.'s Office) 2. take a hit on his business (tax loss - not recommended by him anyway) 3. eat the remaining and take the $1,000 some help would be greatly appreciated. BTW, in a way this is linux related as the software he is using (FTK) is running under vmware on a linux platform. anyway, some helpful (and time sensitive) advice is needed here. --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss ------------------------ Keith Smith (480) 584-4772 PHP Programming --------------------------------- Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing.