The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) establishes maximum hourly panel attorney compensation rates for capital and non-capital cases. [18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d)(1)] [18 U.S.C. § 3599(g)(1)]
18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d) and 18 U.S.C. § 3599(g)(1) authorize the Judicial Conference to increase annually these hourly rate maximums by an amount not to exceed the federal pay comparability raises given to federal employees. Newly established rates become effective only if funded by Congress, and will apply with respect to services performed on or after the effective date of the statute. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.20] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 630.10(b)]
The CJA also sets a waivable limit on the total compensation payable, per panel attorney, for non-capital cases (exclusive of expense reimbursements) based on the type of representation and proceeding – e.g., for felonies, misdemeanors, and for appeals. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.23.20] Payments exceeding these amounts may be authorized for extended or complex representations, where the presiding judge certifies they are necessary to provide fair compensation and the chief judge of the circuit (or active or senior circuit judge delegate) approves. For more information, click here.
The attorney case compensation maximum increases simultaneously with changes in the maximum hourly compensation rate. [18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d)(2)-(3)]
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You may find current information about CJA panel attorney hourly rates and case compensation maximums by accessing these documents/web sites: