UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
STANDING ORDER
Counsel appointed under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, may
request leave to submit interim vouchers for compensation pursuant to the Guide to
Judiciary Policy, Vol. 7A, Ch. 2, § 230.73, Ch. 3, § 310.60, and Ch. 6, §§ 630.40, 660.40.
As the Guide states, "Courts and presiding judges... should allow interim payments of
compensation and of expenses to attorneys" and "experts and other service providers" at
regular intervals in death penalty representations and lengthy non-capital cases. §§
230.73.l0(a), 230.73.20, 310.60.l0(a), 310.60.20, 630.40, 660.40.10.
The Guide further states that in non-capital cases "[c]ase budgeting ... and
enhanced reporting through the e Voucher system should be used to strike a balance
between the interest in relieving court-appointed attorneys of financial hardships in CJA
representations and the requirement for the chief judge of the circuit .. . to approve
compensation over the statutory thresholds."§ 230.73.l0(b); see also§ 630.40 (citing the
expected length of death penalty representations and anticipated hardship on counsel as
reasons to permit submission of interim vouchers);§ 660.40.10 (service providers in
death penalty cases).
It is hereby ORDERED that in non-capital and death penalty cases in which a case
budget has been approved by the presiding judge and the Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit or his or her designee, counsel and their service providers
are permitted to submit interim vouchers for compensation, consistent with the applicable
provisions of the Guide to Judiciary Policy and the Criminal Justice Act Plan for the
district in which the case originates. In non-capital cases, counsel and their service
providers are permitted to submit vouchers no more frequently than every ninety days,
unless other arrangements are approved by the presiding judge. In death penalty cases,
counsel and their service providers are permitted to submit vouchers monthly, unless
other arrangements are approved by the presiding judge.
Michael A. Chagares, Chief Judge
Dated:
