Courts are encouraged to use case budgeting in CJA representations that appear likely to become or have become extraordinary in terms of potential cost.  Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 7A, §§ 230.26, 640.  These cases include non-capital “mega cases” in which attorney time is expected to exceed 300 hours, or the equivalent in total expenditures for appointed counsel and services other than appointed counsel, for an individual CJA defendant. Budgeting is also encouraged for capital prosecutions and capital habeas corpus proceedings. The goal of case budgeting is to ensure that defense counsel will receive the resources necessary to represent the accused effectively, while at the same time providing the court with sufficient information about the resources needed to enable it to assess and monitor the expenditure of public funds.

Courts and attorneys are encouraged to contact the Case Budgeting Attorney if they believe a case may be eligible for budgeting.

•  Circuitwide CJA Policies effective Jan 1 2016
•  Standing Order on Requests for Leave to Submit Interim Vouchers
•  Standing Order re Service Provider Requests
•  Case Budgeting in Capital Cases November 2023
•  Case Budgeting and Excess Compensation Cases MDPA CJA Panel Training February 2022

Criminal Justice Act Guidelines, Guide to Judiciary Policy Vol. 7A

• Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 7A (CJA Guidelines)