NEWS FROM U.S. DISTRICT COURT
April 11, 2025
CJA Payments. Attorney payments under the Criminal Justice Act continue to surge. The district processed 365 CJA 20 attorney vouchers totaling $3,503,395. That represents a 6.33% increase from the 2023 attorney payments. The district spent $312,339 for experts and investigators in 2024, a 3.3% increase from 2023. Transcript expenditures saw the biggest upswing, climbing from $43,912 in 2023 to $60,604 in 2024, an increase of more than 38%.
Transcript Redaction Update. For almost two decades, Judicial Conference Policy has required attorneys to review transcripts for redactions pursuant to the E-Government Act. It recently became known that there may be portions of transcripts that are not being reviewed, particularly statements by the court. To close this gap, we have updated the Questions and Answers Concerning the Electronic Availability of Transcripts and Transcript Redaction Procedures that are posted on our District website.
Changes to Criminal Local Rules. Last month, we announced the approved revisions for both sets of local rules. This month, we will highlight two changes specific to the Criminal Local Rules.
Criminal Local Rule 17.1 has been amended. Previously, the rule encouraged counsel seeking subpoenas and writs to be served by the United States Marshals Service, to attach a prepared AO 89 form, AO 89B form, or the proposed writ. The amended rule now requires the attachment of a prepared subpoena or writ. Both forms are available on the District website.
Criminal Local Rule 57.10 has changed substantially. Section B.4 previously imposed an obligation on prosecutors to identify cooperating witnesses prior to eliciting their testimony and required the preparation of two transcripts; a restricted transcript and a public transcript that excludes the identity of cooperating witnesses. This section was struck in its entirety. Going forward, the preferred method to redact cooperator information is to wait until a transcript is filed, then file a Motion to Redact. The motion should identify requested redactions by page and line number. As you may recall, all transcripts are sealed for 90-days to allow for redaction review. Attorneys have 21-days after a transcript is filed to file redaction requests and motions to redact. A motion and order is required to redact cooperator information.