CRIMINAL ACTION
(a) ENTRY OF APPEARANCE.
An attorney appearing for a defendant in a criminal case, whether appointed or retained,
shall file with the Clerk a notice of appearance on a court-approved form. If a defendant
appears without counsel at arraignment, the Court shall set a date and time by which
counsel shall enter an appearance or the defendant, after being fully advised of his right
to counsel, shall waive such right and elect to proceed pro se.
(b) CERTIFICATE OF FAMILIARITY WITH SENTENCING GUIDELINES.
Every attorney who appears as sole or lead counsel in a criminal case must have on file
with the Clerk's Office a certificate, in a form prescribed by the Clerk, in which the
attorney states that he or she is familiar with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. If the
attorney has filed such a certificate during the previous three years (see Rule 701.1), a
new certificate is not necessary.
(c) CONTINUING DUTY OF REPRESENTATION.
An attorney who enters an appearance shall continue to represent the defendant until the
case is dismissed, the defendant is acquitted, or the time for filing post-trial motions and a
notice of appeal has expired, unless the attorney is granted leave to withdraw by the
Court.
(d) WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL.
An attorney who has appeared in a criminal case may thereafter withdraw only by written
motion served upon the defendant personally or at the defendant's last-known address,
and upon all other parties. The Court may deny a motion to withdraw if the attorney's
withdrawal would unduly delay trial of the case or be unfairly prejudicial to any party, or
otherwise not be in the interests of justice.
(e) COUNSEL FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
Upon the return of an indictment or bill of information, the United States shall designate
an Assistant United States Attorney or other attorney of the Department of Justice as its
representative. The United States Attorney shall advise the Clerk and the judge to whom
the case is assigned regarding any change in the attorney for the United States responsible
for the prosecution.
