Compensation and Expenses of Appointed Counsel > Reimbursable and Non-Reimbursable Expenses

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred may be claimed on the appointed attorney's voucher (Form CJA 20 or Form CJA 30) and must be itemized and reasonably documented. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.10] Expenses for investigators or other services under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) are not considered out-of-pocket expenses.

Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses may include payments for:

Computer-assisted legal research. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.30]
Travel expenses. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.40]
Telephone toll calls. The actual cost of case-related long distance or other telephone toll calls. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.10] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.70]
Facsimile transmissions. The actual cost of transmissions of facsimile documents (but not general office overhead expenses). [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.66.10(a)] An attorney may, however, submit a compensation claim for the time the attorney spent preparing a facsimile.
Copying. The cost incurred for in-house and outside copying. Check your local district rules for further details. Large copying jobs should be sent to an outside copy service unless in-house copying is more economical. Keep in mind, however, that the expense of printing briefs, regardless of the printing method utilized, is not reimbursable (although the cost of copying service is reimbursable). [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.70] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.66.40]
Postage. Payments for the actual cost of regular U.S. postage are reimbursable. The cost of other postal services or the use of non-federal carriers (such as overnight or two-day delivery) is reimbursable where necessary and reasonable under the circumstances.
Messenger services. Payments for the actual cost of messenger services are reimbursable only where necessary and reasonable under the circumstances and must be itemized and reasonably documented.
Court-authorized transcripts. Although court-authorized transcripts are reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses, they are claimed on the Form CJA 24. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.63.20] [18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d)(1)].