NEWS FROM U.S. DISTRICT COURT

May 12, 2023

CJA Payments. Payments under the Criminal Justice Act rose in 2022. Attorney payments were up 27% from the previous year. The district processed 337 CJA 20 attorney vouchers in 2022 totaling $3,191,752.58. Expenditures for experts and investigators rose 32% from $272,853.05 in 2021 to $360,728.70 in 2022. Comparing our payment data to the Federal Public Defender’s appointment statistics, CJA panel attorneys received 28% of all appointments.

DOJ-3 Fact Witness Vouchers Regarding Minors. The Special Authorizations Unit of the Justice Management Division recently released new instructions regarding the completion of DOJ-3 Fact Witness Vouchers for minor witnesses and/or travel companions. Neither the juveniles’ name nor their social security number should be listed on the DOJ-3 form. Instead, the name and SSN of the parent or guardian traveling with the minor should be listed. In addition, the statement “In care of minor witness” or ”In care of minor travel companion” should be annotated next to the name of the parent or guardian on the voucher. A subpoena is still required for payment of fees and expenses. This new guidance is to help ensure the name and identity of a minor participating in the criminal justice system, either as Fact Witness or as a Travel Companion, is protected.

Reminder. The Court will be closed on Monday, May 29th in honor of Memorial Day.