CJA Panel Attorney Funds Depleted
As of the week of July 7, 2025, Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorney funds have been depleted. Panel payments will be deferred until funds become available. Please continue to file, process, and approve CJA vouchers as normal during the payment deferrals so that payments can be disbursed as soon as funding is available.
The Judiciary will continue to seek every opportunity to obtain additional funding to meet this need.
Please contact:
- Status of an individual voucher: Your local CJA administrator
- CJA Administrator technical eVoucher questions: National Support Desk
- National CJA policy questions: DSO_LPD@ao.uscourts.gov
CJA Compensation Rates & Maximums
Below are Defender Services Office (DSO) announcements related to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorney case compensation rates and maximums rates. Additionally, find direct links to U.S. Court websites providing current and past compensation rates and maximums.
DSO announces an increase to the CJA panel attorney hourly rates. (Updated on Dec. 30, 2024)
CJA Panel Attorney Hourly Rate Increase (Non-Capital & Capital Cases):
The panel attorney hourly rate is increased from $172 to $175 for non-capital work. The rate for capital work is increased from $220 to $223. These new rates apply to services performed on or after the effective date of January 1, 2025. Where appointment of counsel occurred before Jan. 1, 2025. These new hourly compensation rates apply to that portion of services provided on or after the effective date.
CJA Panel Attorney Case Compensation Maximums (in Non-Capital Cases)
Because of the increase in the non-capital hourly rate, the waivable case compensation maximum amounts for non-capital representations increase to:
Felony: $13,600 (previously $13,400)
Appeal: $9,700 (previously $9,600)
New case compensation maximums apply to vouchers submitted by appointed counsel if that person furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after Jan. 1, 2025. The former case compensation maximums apply to a voucher submitted by appointed counsel if that person’s CJA-compensable work on the representation was completed before Jan. 1, 2025.
CJA Panel Attorney Case Compensation Maximums (Capital Cases)
There are no case compensation maximums for appointed counsel in capital cases.
Current Dec. 10, 2019.
Case Budgeting
Case budgeting information is maintained and developed by DSO's Legal and Policy Division. For questions regarding the material below, contact the Legal and Policy Division duty attorney at 202-502-3030. NOTE: Acrobat Standard or Professional is needed to save data entered into the foregoing Adobe PDF worksheets. With Acrobat Reader, data can be entered and printed, but not saved.
Funding for Expert, Investigative & Other Services
The CJA and CJA Guidelines provide that court appointed defense counsel can obtain funding for fees and expenses associated with hiring an expert, investigator, or other service professional (e.g., paralegals, interpreters) to assist defense counsel. See 18 U.S.C. SS3006A(e) and Chapter 3 of the Guidelines for Administering the CJA and related statutes. Obtaining such assistance can make all the difference in your case!
To be eligible for funding under the CJA, professional services to aid counsel must be necessary to ensure adequate representation of a client. The CJA anticipates that the application for funds for expert, investigative, and other professional fees will be made ex parte, stating the presiding judge must seal the request and order and may not disclose the application without the defendant's approval.
Spending Without Prior Court Approval
The maximum reimbursement for expert, investigative, or other professional fees incurred without prior court approval in non-capital cases is $800.00 per case (excluding expenses). Funds expended on services with prior court approval do not count towards this $800.00 (without prior court approval limit). In rare instances, courts can waive this limit for fees that the court finds could not wait for prior authorization. Note: If the service provider's work on the representation was completed before May 27, 2010, see CJA Guideline SS 310.20.10 (a) for maximum reimbursement amounts.
Spending With Prior Court Approval
To avoid the $800.00 limit, seek authorization early in your case, before incurring any expenses. Prior authorization by the presiding judge currently allows you to contract for up to $2,400 in fees in non-capital cases. Expenses incurred by investigators, experts, and other professionals are also reimbursable and do not count against this fee maximums. If you know that the amount of the expert fees is probably going to exceed the $2,600.00 limit you will need to apply to the presiding judge for certification that funds in excess of the maximum are necessary. This request is forwarded to the Chief Judge of your Circuit Court of Appeals, who holds approval authority. Note: if the service provider's work on the representation was completed before May 27, 2010, see CJA Guideline SS 310.20.30(a) for maximum reimbursement amounts.
Spending for Computer Hardware, Software or Litigation Support
For information on funding for computer hardware, software and computer expert services see our:
The procedure for requesting authorization to obtain computer hardware, software, or litigation support services includes prior consultation with the Defender Services Office National Litigation Support Team. See subsection 320.70.40 of the CJA Guidelines for further details.
Below are sample applications for court approval of various expert/professional services. Please be advised that you should check with the federal defender or panel representative in your district to determine best practices within your district for making a successful application.