NEWS FROM U.S. DISTRICT COURT
April 9, 2026

CJA Payments. Attorney payments under the Criminal Justice Act dropped last year. The district processed three hundred and seventy-five CJA 20 attorney vouchers, totaling $3,080,441. This represents more than a 12% decrease from 2024. This is not related to the CJA voucher processing deferral from July 3, 2025, to November 10, 2025, when we ran out of funds. CJA panel attorneys received approximately 30% of all appointments in 2025. The district spent $201,457 on experts and investigators last year, a 35% decrease from 2024. Transcript expenditures also decreased in 2025.

Public Officers Sued in Official Capacity. Did you know that when public officials are sued in their official capacity and pass away, resign, or otherwise cease to hold office while an action is pending, their successor is automatically substituted as a party under Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure? Moreover, Rule 19(d) allows a public officer who sues or is sued in an official capacity, to be designated by official title rather than by name.

When our judges met last September, they agreed that when such cases are opened, we can omit the individual’s name, thereby eliminating the need to amend the docket sheet later if there is a death or other separation. The best example is a Social Security Appeal. Previously, when we opened these cases, we identified the defendant by name, now we use the title Commissioner, Social Security Administration. You will now see the titles on the docket sheet instead of individuals named in the complaint.