Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Guidelines

These policies and procedures represent the guidelines of the Judicial Conference of the United States for the administration and operation of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA). The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees an accused the right to representation by counsel in serious criminal prosecutions. Enacted in 1964, the CJA establishes a comprehensive system for appointing and compensating legal representation for accused persons who are financially unable to retain counsel in federal criminal proceedings.

Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 7 - Defender Services

Part A: Guidelines for Administering the CJA and Related Statutes

Chapter 1: Overview

Chapter 2: Appointment and Payment of Counsel

• Appendix 2A (pdf)(word): Model Plan for Implementation and Administration of the Criminal Justice Act
• Appendix 2C (pdf)(word): Procedures for Interim Payments to Counsel in Non-Death Penalty Cases
• Appendix 2D (pdf)(word): Procedures for Interim Payments to Counsel in Death Penalty Cases

Chapter 3: Authorization and Payment for Investigative, Expert, or Other Services

• Appendix 3A (pdf)(word): Sample Request for Advance Authorization for Investigative, Expert, or Other Services
• Appendix 3B (pdf)(word): Procedures for Interim Payments to Service Providers in Non-Death Penalty Cases
• Appendix 3C (pdf)(word): Procedures for Interim Payments to Service Providers in Capital Proceedings
• Appendix 3D (pdf)(word): Sample Order Authorizing the Acquisition of Computer (Hardware and/or Software) under the CJA

Chapter 4: Defender Organizations

• Appendix 4A (pdf)(word): Community Defender Organization: Grant and Conditions
• Appendix 4B (pdf)(word): Model Code of Conduct for Federal Community Defender Employees

Chapter 5: Disclosure of Information on CJA-Related Activities

Chapter 6: Federal Death Penalty and Capital Habeas Corpus Representations

• Appendix 6A (pdf): Recommendations Concerning the Cost and Quality of Defense Representation (Spencer Report, May 1998)

Part B: International Prisoner Transfer Proceedings

These regulations have been issued by the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for the appointment and compensation of counsel and guardians ad litem in international prisoner transfer proceedings.

Chapter 1: Overview

Chapter 2: Appointment of Counsel and Guardians Ad Litem

Chapter 3: Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses

Transmittals

These materials were reconfigured in 2009 as part of a Guide Redesign Project.
A Legacy Guide Volume 7A Crosswalk (pdf) is available to help locate renumbered provisions.

Note: Several websites, including that of the Legal Information Institute, provide access to U.S. Code provisions and other legal content. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over, the organizations, views, accuracy, copyright or trademark compliance or legality of the material contained on these sites. Links are merely provided for user convenience. Any questions or comments concerning a site should be directed to the institution that maintains it. The Administrative Office accepts no responsibility for, and does not endorse, any product, organization, or content at any linked site, or at any site to which that site may be linked. The Administrative Office accepts no responsibility for the availability or functionality of any link.

Rules & Policies

• Judiciary Policies
  • Bankruptcy Case Policies
  • CJA Guidelines
  • Court Interpreting Guidance
  • Court Reporting Guidance
  • Ethics Policies
  • Workplace Conduct and Protections
  • Federal Tort Claims
  • Fraud, Waste, or Abuse Policy
  • Garnishment Regulations
  • Judiciary Staff Travel Regulations
  • Portable Communication Devices
  • Post-Conviction Supervision Policies
  • Privacy Policy for Electronic Case Files
  • Procurement Policies
  • Subpoena Regulations
  • Cameras in the Courtroom Policy
  • Confidentiality Regulations for Pretrial Services Information
  • Proposed Changes to Code and JC&D Rules
  • U.S. Courts Design Guide

  Download the Policy

  Related Links

  Defender Services Policy Updates

  Subscribe to be notified when we update this policy.

  Related Content

  The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees an accused the right to representation by counsel in serious criminal prosecutions. Learn more about the Criminal Justice Act and how attorneys are appointed to defenders.

  About Federal Courts

  • Federal Courts & the Public
  • Court Role and Structure
  • Types of Cases
  • Educational Resources
  • Governance & the Judicial Conference
  • Judicial Administration
  • Workplace Conduct

  Judges & Judgeships

  • Authorized Judgeships
  • Judicial Vacancies
  • Judicial Milestones
  • Judicial Compensation
  • About Federal Judges
  • Judiciary Financial Disclosure Reports
  • Privately Funded Seminars Disclosure
  • Judicial Conduct & Disability
  • Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges

  Services & Forms

  • Forms
  • Bankruptcy
  • Jury Service
  • Fees
  • Federal Court Interpreters
  • Federal Court Reporting Program
  • Probation and Pretrial Services
  • Defender Services
  • Business Opportunities

  Court Records

  • Find a Case (PACER)
  • Electronic Filing (CM/ECF)
  • Court Records Schedule
  • Electronic Public Access Public User Group

  Statistics & Reports

  • Analysis & Reports
  • Data Tables
  • Publications

  Rules & Policies

  • Current Rules of Practice & Procedure
  • Pending Rules and Forms Amendments
  • Proposed Amendments Published for Public Comment
  • About the Rulemaking Process
  • Records of the Rules Committees
  • Judiciary Policies
  • RSS
  • Privacy & Security Policy
  • Glossary of Legal Terms
  • Operating Status
  • Download Plug-Ins
  • Email Updates
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs

  This site is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary. The purpose of this site is to provide information from and about the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government.