Form CJA 20 (Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court Appointed Counsel) and Form CJA 30 (Death Penalty Proceedings: Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court Appointed Counsel) are used by the court to record the appointment of a private attorney to represent a defendant. These forms are also used by the appointed attorneys to submit their claims for compensation and reimbursement of expenses incurred during the representation.

Vouchers should be submitted by the appointed counsel no later than 45 days after the final disposition of the case, unless good cause is shown. Absent extraordinary circumstances, judges should act upon attorney compensation claims within 30 days of receipt. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.13(a), (b)] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 630.50]. Appointed counsel must maintain contemporaneous time and attendance records for all work performed by associates, partners, and support staff, as well as expense records. Such records, which may be subject to audit, must be maintained for three years after approval of the final voucher for an appointment. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.76]