This section discusses policies that apply to attorney case compensation maximums, including:

• Statutory limits,
• The application of case compensation maximums in special circumstances (e.g., multiple and successive appointments of Criminal Justice Act (CJA) counsel), and
• Waivers for extended or complex representations.

The CJA sets waivable limits 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). [18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d)(2)-(3)] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.23]

Case compensation maximums apply only to attorney fees in non-capital cases and not to the expenses of counsel, and do not limit the amount that the presiding judge can authorize to reimburse attorney expenses. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.23.10(d)]

Payments above CJA case compensation limits may be made to provide fair compensation in cases involving extended or complex representation, when so certified by the court or U.S. magistrate judge and approved by the chief judge of the circuit (or circuit judge delegate).

[Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.23.10(c)(2)] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 230.23.40]