Maximum Hourly Rates Criminal: (rates for work performed on or after January 1, 2024)
$ 172.00 per hour in-court
$ 172.00 per hour out-of-court
Maximum Hourly Rates Death Penalty: (rates for work performed on or after January 1, 2024)
$220.00 per hour in-court
$220.00 per hour out-of-court
Mileage: (rates for work performed on or after January 1, 2024)
Automobiles $0.67 cents/mile
Motorcycles $0.65 cents/mile
Airplanes $1.76 cents/mile
Historical Rates
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended January 1, 2024
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2023. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $13,400, misdemeanor $3,800, appeal $9,600, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,900/appeal $9,600, and other representations $2,900; and (b) for service providers - $1,000 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $3,000 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2022, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $12,800, misdemeanor $3,600, appeal $9,100, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,700/appeal $9,100, and other representations $2,700; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization and $2,800 with prior authorization.
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended January 1, 2023
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2022. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $12,800, misdemeanor $3,600, appeal $9,100, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,700/appeal $9,100, and other representations $2,700; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,800 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2022, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $12,300, misdemeanor $3,500, appeal $8,800, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,600/appeal $8,800, and other representations $2,600; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization and $2,700 with prior authorization.
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended January 1, 2022
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2021. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $12,300, misdemeanor $3,500, appeal $8,800, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,600/appeal $8,800, and other representations $2,600; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,700 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2022, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $12,100, misdemeanor $3,400, appeal $8,600, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,600/appeal $8,600, and other representations $2,600; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization and $2,600 with prior authorization.
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended January 1, 2021
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2021. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $12,100, misdemeanor $3,400, appeal $8,600, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,600/appeal $8,600, and other representations $2,600; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,700 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2021, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $11,500, misdemeanor $3,400, appeal $8,200, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,500/appeal $8,200, and other representations $2,500; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization and $2,600 with prior authorization.
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended February 15, 2019
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after February 15, 2019. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $11,500, misdemeanor $3,400, appeal $8,200, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,500/appeal $8,200, and other representations $2,500; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,600 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before February 15, 2019, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $10,900, misdemeanor $3,100, appeal $7,800, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,300/appeal $7,800, and other representations $2,500; and (b) for service providers - $900 without prior authorization and $2,600 with prior authorization. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after February 15, 2019, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended March 23, 2018
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after March 23, 2018. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $10,900, misdemeanor $3,100, appeal $7,800, 18 U.S.C. A parole proceeding $2,300/appeal $7,800, and other representations $2,300; and (b) for service providers - $800 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,500 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before March 23, 2018, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $10,300, misdemeanor $2,900, appeal $7,300, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,200/appeal $7,300, and other representations $2,200; and (b) for service providers - $800 without prior authorization and $2,500 with prior authorization. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after March 23, 2018, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended May 5, 2017
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after May 5, 2017. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $10,300, misdemeanor $2,900, appeal $7,300, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,200/appeal $7,300, and other representations $2,200; and (b) for service providers - $800 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,500 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before May 5, 2017, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $10,000, misdemeanor $2,900, appeal $7,200, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,100/appeal $7,200, and other representations $2,100; and (b) for service providers - $800 without prior authorization and $2,500 with prior authorization. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after January 1, 2016, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as amended January 1, 2016
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2016. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $10,000, misdemeanor $2,900, appeal $7,200, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,100/appeal $7,200, and other representations $2,100; and (b) for service providers - $800 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,500 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2016, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $9,900, misdemeanor $2,800, appeal $7,100, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,100/appeal $7,100, and other representations $2,100; and (b) for service providers - $500 without prior authorization and $2,400 with prior authorization. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after January 1, 2015, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, as Amended January 1, 2015
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2015. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $9,900, misdemeanor $2,800, appeal $7,100, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,100/appeal $7,100, and other representations $2,100; and (b) for service providers - $500 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $2,400 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2015, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $9,800, misdemeanor $2,800, appeal $7,000, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,100/appeal $7,000, and other representations $2,100; and (b) for service providers - $500 without prior authorization and $1,000 with prior authorization. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after January 1, 2015, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Judicial Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2010, enacted on May 27, 2010.
The appropriate person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 17 ("Claimant's Certification for Period of Service") of the CJA Forms 21 and 31 to determine whether the provider of investigative, expert, and other services furnished any CJA compensable work on or after May 27, 2010. If so, the new case compensation maximum amounts apply to that service provider's voucher on the representation: $800, excluding expenses, without prior authorization, and $2,400, excluding expenses, with prior authorization. If, on the other hand, all services were performed before May 27, 2010, the former case compensation maximum amounts apply: $500, excluding expenses, without prior authorization, and $1,600, excluding expenses, with prior authorization.
In addition, in death penalty cases (CJA Form 31-Death Penalty Proceedings: Ex Parte Request for Authorization and Voucher Expert and Other Services), the compensation maximum amount when there is not prior authorization under subsection (e)(2) of the CJA applies (the increase from $500, excluding expenses, to $800). The case maximum with prior authorization is governed by 18 U.S.C.§ 3599(g)(2), however, which provides an amount of $7,500 for the fees and expenses of all investigative, expert and other service providers combined rather than an amount for each individual service provider. The CJA case maximum per individual service provider (the $1,600 amount increased to $2,400) when there has been prior authorization does not apply in a death penalty representation.
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Judicial Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 and Item 17 (Claimants Certification for Period of Service) of the CJA Forms 21 and 31 to determine whether the attorney or provider of investigative, expert, and other services furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2010. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $9,700, misdemeanor $2,800, appeal $6,900, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,100/appeal $6,900, and other representations $2,100; and (b) for service providers - $500 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $1,600 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before January 1, 2010, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $8,600, misdemeanor $2,400, appeal $6,100, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $2,400/appeal $6,100, and other representations $1,800; and (b) for service providers - $500 without prior authorization and $1,600 with prior authorization.
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2005
The person responsible for reviewing, processing, or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 and Item 17 (Claimants Certification for Period of Service) of the CJA Forms 21 and 31 to determine whether the attorney or provider of investigative, expert, and other services furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after December 8, 2004. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to that persons voucher on the representation: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $7,000, misdemeanor $2,000, appeal $5,000, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $1,500/appeal $5,000, and other representations $1,500; and (b) for service providers - $500 without prior authorization (only this case maximum revision possibly applies to a death penalty case) and $1,600 with prior authorization.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before December 8, 2004, the former case compensation maximums apply: (a) for appointed attorneys - felony $5,200, misdemeanor $1,500, appeal $3,700, 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $1,200/appeal $3,900, and other representations $1,200; and (b) for service providers - $300 without prior authorization and $1,000 with prior authorization. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after December 8, 2004, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)
Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) as amended by the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 2000
The person responsible for reviewing, processing or approving claims should look at Item 19 (Certification of Attorney/Payee for the Period of Service) of the CJA Form 20 to determine whether the attorney provided any representational services on or after November 13, 2000. If so, the new case compensation maximums apply to the entire representation: felony $5,200; misdemeanor $1,500; appeal $3,700; 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $1,200/ appeal $3,900; and other representations $1,200. The maximum amount for representation in non-capital habeas proceedings is revised to match the felony limit ($5,200) for district court representation and the appeal limit ($3,700) for appellate court representation.
If, on the other hand, all services were performed before November 13, 2000, the former case compensation maximums apply: felony $3,500; misdemeanor $1,000; appeal $2,500; 18 U.S.C. 4106A parole proceeding $750/ appeal $2,500; and other representations $750. The maximum amount for representation in non-capital habeas proceedings is subject to the $750 limit at each level of the proceeding. (PLEASE NOTE: If the voucher is entered into the CJA payment system after November 12, 2000, the warning message indicating that circuit approval is required will not activate at the former case maximum levels, even when they apply. The warning messages are only being generated based on the new case compensation maximums.)