Criminal Justice Act (CJA) and CJA Processes

Criminal Justice Act (CJA) and CJA Processes

This Info Applies to
These Roles

  • Attorney
  • Expert/Other Service Provider
  • Processor
  • Reviewer
  • Approver
  • Excess Approver

This section provides a general overview of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), including:

  • CJA history,
  • district CJA plan requirements,
  • CJA limitations on payment and approval authorities,
  • a discussion of Judicial Conference Guidelines: Volume 7, Part A: Guidelines for Administering the Criminal Justice Act and Related Statutes (also known as the CJA Guidelines or referred to as “the Guide”),
  • an introduction to the content of the CJA Guidelines,
  • an outline of the CJA appointment, voucher submission, and payment process from the appointment of a private “panel” attorney to represent an eligible client, through the payment of amounts approved for compensation and reimbursement of the appointed panel attorneys and other service providers, and
  • a description of the voucher audit process.