Appointed Counsel

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Capital Case Budgeting (for counsel appointed on or after September 1, 2010): If CJA representation in appeals arising out of state or federal capital convictions is anticipated to exceed the average number of hours required for such representation (300 hours for appeal, 100 hours for certiorari petition), counsel must file a proposed litigation budget within three weeks of appointment, separately addressing each stage of representation. The proposed budget will assist counsel and the court in determining what compensation will be available in the case. For additional information, see CJA Payment in Capital Cases/Time and Expense Worksheets.

Review of Attorney Compensation Requests in Death Penalty Cases in the District Courts and on Appeal: On January 4, 2012, the Fourth Circuit Judicial Council published notice and invited comment through February 15, 2012, on its resolution establishing special procedures for review of attorney compensation requests in capital cases. On February 28, 2012, the Fourth Circuit Judicial Council suspended the March 1, 2012, effective date for the new procedures until further notice, to permit consideration of the comments received. The January 4, 2012, notice of the procedures is available here, and the February 28, 2012, suspension notice is available here.

CJA Appellate Panel Application Period: Experienced criminal appellate attorneys are encouraged to apply for membership on the court's CJA Appellate Panel. Applications for panel membership are accepted and considered for provisional approval throughout the year, subject to final approval each fall when the full CJA Panel Committee submits its membership recommendations to the court. Members are approved for a renewable three-year term and handle appeals in which trial counsel has been granted leave to withdraw from representation on appeal. A cap of $6,900 plus expenses applies to most criminal appeals, though a $2,100 cap applies to collateral proceedings such as appeals from the revocation of supervised release or the denial of bail. Available here are the CJA Panel Application Form (for new applicants) and an abbreviated application for renewal (for members whose terms are expiring). A list of committee members can be found here.