CJA Plan VI: Payment of Claims for Compensation and Expenses

1. An attorney, bar association, legal aid agency, or community defender organization appointed by the Court pursuant to the Plan shall be compensated for their services and reimbursed for their expenses reasonably incurred within the limitations and subject to the conditions of subsection (d) of the Act.

2. The hourly rates of compensation fixed by the Act are designated and intended to be maximum rates only and shall be treated as such.

3. No appointed representative under the Plan shall accept a payment from or on behalf of the person represented in this Court without prior authorization by a United States circuit judge on the form provided for such purpose. All such authorized payments shall be received subject to the directions contained in such order and pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of the Act.

4. Each appointed representative under the Plan shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred for travel and out-of-pocket expenditures. Travel by privately owned automobile should be claimed at the rate per mile set forth in the Travel and Transportation regulations, Volume I, Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures, plus parking fees and tolls. Transportation other than by privately owned automobile should be claimed on an actual cost basis. Per diem in lieu of subsistence is not allowable. Meals and lodging expenses, which are reasonably incurred based upon the prevailing limitations placed upon travel and subsistence expenses of federal judiciary employees in accordance with existing travel regulations, as well as telephone toll calls, telegrams and copying (except printing), are reimbursable. Non-reimbursable items include general office overhead, personal items for the person represented, filing fees, and printing. (A person represented under the Act is not required to pay filing fees.) An appointed attorney or other authorized legal entity shall not incur any expense subject to claim for reimbursement in excess of $300 except for necessary travel and maintenance to and from this Court for hearing on oral argument, without prior Court approval. In the event it is deemed necessary to provide an appendix of the record on appeal of more than 50 pages, they shall first petition the Court for authority to incur such expense and obtain approval therefor.

5. All claims for compensation and reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred shall be itemized and prepared on prescribed forms and filed with the Clerk of this Court. All such claims should be filed promptly and in any event not more than 30 days after the conclusion of such services.

6. A panel of judges hearing an appeal, or any active member of the Court if designated by such panel, shall, in each instance, fix the compensation and allow the reimbursement for expenses to be paid to the appointed representative as provided in the Act. After such approval, the Clerk of this Court shall forthwith forward such claims to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for payment.

7. Counsel's time and expenses involved in the preparation of a petition for a writ of certiorari shall be considered as applicable to the case before this Court, and should be vouchered as such.