Authorization to exceed the $3,000 statutory maximum for experts must be obtained PRIOR to service to guarantee the expert's fees will be reimbursed through the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) funds. The authorization must be approved by the District Court judicial officer and then by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals designee. In CJA eVoucher create an AUTH and attach the motion to the Documents tab and submit it to the Court. You will receive an email if the AUTH is approved or rejected.
The total cost of investigative, expert, and other expert services obtained without prior authorization may not exceed $1000 and expenses reasonably incurred. Once the $1000 limitation has been met by any one or combination of expert service providers, prior authorization must be obtained from the court, unless counsel meets the exigency requirements of § 3006A(e)(2)(B).
Advance Authorization For Expert Services