Criminal Justice Act
The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) is a federal law that gives attorneys to people facing federal criminal charges who cannot afford one. It also provides access to defense services, like investigators and expert witnesses. The CJA only applies to federal cases, not state cases.
Are you an attorney or service provider with a CJA case at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals? Visit the Appellate CJA Attorneys page.
Policies and Guidelines
District
[are there any? or do we need to re-label these to be clearer about what level they pertain to?]
Circuit
-
Ninth Circuit CJA Compensability Handbook (PDF) provides guidance and examples to help CJA attorneys and approvers understand which services are generally payable and how to handle complex compensation questions.
-
Ninth Circuit CJA policies and procedures (PDF) describes how the CJA is implemented at the court.
-
Ninth Circuit Criminal Justice Act Plan (PDF) describes how the CJA is implemented at the court.
-
Circuit Rule 4-1. Counsel in Criminal and Habeas Appeals (PDF) provides court rules for CJA cases.
-
Ninth Circuit Model CJA plan (PDF) offers guidance on running and managing CJA cases, following the rules of 18 U.S.C. ยง 3006A(b) and the policies of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and the U.S. Judicial Conference.
National
-
National CJA Guidelines provides the policies and procedures set by the Judicial Conference of the United States for the administration and operation of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA).
Budgeting and Billing
Budgeting
-
Budget process overview (PDF)
Billing
-
Voucher checklist (PDF)
-
CJA-20 billing tips (PDF)
-
Discovery billing tips (PDF)
Rates
Resources and Support
About the CJA Unit
The Ninth Circuit CJA Unit was created by an Administrative Order (PDF) to help attorneys who are appointed under the CJA.
Case Budgeting Attorneys in the unit help these attorneys plan and manage their cases and budgets. They make sure clients get good legal help, costs are fair, and all rules are followed.