NEWS FROM U.S. DISTRICT COURT
January 12, 2024

Jury Trials. The number of jury trials continues to climb. There were 45 jury trials in the District last year, up from 36 in 2022. Of the 45 jury trials in 2023, 23 were in the Western Division. Judges from our district as well as judges from the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Western District of Missouri and the Districts of North Dakota and Minnesota have tried cases in Rapid City since Judge Viken retired on October 1, 2023.

New Criminal Justice Act Rates. The new year brings higher rates for attorneys appointed under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA). Effective January 1, 2024, hourly rates increased from $164 to $172 for non-capital work and from $210 to $220 for capital work. The new rates apply to services performed on or after January 1, 2024. The case compensation maximum in non- capital cases also increased to $13,400, up from $12,800. Payments above this amount must include a justification letter from the attorney. The new case compensation maximum applies to any voucher submitted by appointed counsel if that person furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2024.

In addition, this federal pay adjustment also increases the case compensation maximums for investigative, expert, or other services performed in relation to non-capital representations. The new waivable case compensation maximum without prior authorization is $1,000, up from $900. With prior authorization, the new case compensation maximum amount is $3,000, up from $2,800. Payments requiring prior authorization must include a justification letter from the attorney. These new compensation maximums apply to any voucher submitted by a service provider for any CJA-compensable work performed on or after January 1, 2024.

Reminder. The Court will be closed on Monday, January 15ᵗʰ in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.