FILED
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF WYOMING
DEC - 8 2015
FOR THE DISTRICT OF WYOMING
Stephan Harris, Clerk
Cheyenne
Administrative General Order 2015-04 GENERAL ORDER REGARDING
CASE BUDGETING FOR CRIMINAL
JUSTICE ACT CASES
For all attorneys representing criminal defendants pursuant to the Criminal Justice
Act of 1964, the following rules shall apply for criminal cases:
1. For non-capital felony cases, if counsel believes attorney's fees will exceed
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the current attorney case compensation maximum , counsel shall notify the Court that
he/she anticipates exceeding those amounts. These notices shall be filed ex parte.
2. For all cases that do not require case budgeting, Counsel sha ll seek prior
permission for costs, such as copy, fax, phone, research and postage in excess of $200.00.
3. CJA counsel in all cases where representation may exceed 300 attorney
hours or $39,000 in combined attorney and service provider fees are required to submit a
proposed case budget for the court's review and approval. Counsel shall submit a
proposed initial litigation budget for court approval, subject to modification in light of
developments that emerge as the case proceeds. All case budgets shall be submitted ex
parte. Recognizing that investigative, expert or other services may be required before
counsel has an opportunity to submit a case budget, or the court to approve it, the Court
will act upon requests for services where prompt authorization is necessary for adequate
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The current case maximum for non-capital felony cases is $9,900.00.
representation. It is expected that counsel will use cost saving measures, such as paralegal
time and investigator time where appropriate. Counsel should contact the Tenth Circuit
Case Budgeting Attorney, Cari Waters at (303) 335-2826 or
cari
[email protected] for assistance in developing and submitting a proposed
initial litigation budget for the Court's approval.
4. Requests for services exceeding $800.00, except for services included in a
case budget, must be approved prior to obtaining those services. If services exceed $800
and prior authorization could not have reasonably been obtained, counsel must submit an
ex parte application and declaration as soon as possible justifying the services, a request for
authorization to the date services were first rendered, and a thorough explanation of why
prior authorization could not have reasonably been obtained. If the Court denies the request
in whole or in part, the Court will not be liable for refusal to pay for services rendered in
excess of authorized funds.
5. Case Budgeting is required in all capital cases. Counsel should contact the
Tenth Circuit Case Budgeting Attorney, Cari Waters at (303) 335-2826 or
cari waters@ca 1O.uscourts.gov for assistance in developing and submitting a proposed
initial litigation budget for capital cases. Counsel is expected to prepare a budget for tasks
to be performed by attorneys and paralegals and expenses to be incurred for investigators,
expert witnesses and other costs.
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6. Failure to follow these requirements may result in non-payment of vouchers
for attorney's fees and costs.
7. This General Administrative Order replaces the provisions of General
Administrative Order 2012-01 filed on May 7, 2012.
Dated this K day of Decem er, 2015 . .,
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