For authorized services of paralegals, legal assistants, and other non-secretarial professional support personnel employed by appointed counsel, the court will determine a reasonable hourly compensation rate that may not exceed the lesser of the rate paid to counsel under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) or the rate typically charged by counsel to a fee-paying client for such services. Authorizing compensation at such rates should result in greater efficiency and lower costs for the CJA program than would occur if counsel performed and charged for these services. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 320.70.50]

The applicable Form CJA 21 or Form CJA 31 should be used to request authorization and to submit claims for compensation and reimbursement of expenses for services provided by paralegals, legal assistants, and other non-secretarial professional support personnel. [Guide, Vol. 7, § 320.70.30] [Guide, Vol. 7, § 320.70.50]