Western District of Texas

INTRODUCTION

In conjunction with the implementation of the new CJA Panel Attorney Payment System, CJA Forms 20, 21, 24, 30 and 31, used for the appointment of and claims for counsel, experts, court reporters, and other service providers under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), were revised in May of 1999. The revised forms are not multi-page carbon sets, but a single-page form. Instructions are not attached to the forms. Although the revised forms are not substantially different from the old version, the instructions provided are for your use. The additional data elements being requested on the new forms are explained in the instructions.

It is very important that you maintain complete and accurate records reflecting the time spent in conference with your client, as well as the advice or instructions provided. You should have a record of your time in Court on behalf of your client, in addition to anything else done in connection with that case. Please use the worksheets below to satisfy this requirement.

For further information and support, you may wish to access the web site of The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas.

Additional forms are available from the U.S. Courts web site. You can also vist the CJA home page for the 5th Circuit.

GENERAL DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

The documents, orders and forms listed on this page are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. The Adobe .pdf format keeps the documents in their original form and font. Any computer with a .pdf viewer can pull up a document and it will look (and print) the same as the original. If you need an Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print the PDF version of a form, a free Acrobat reader and instructions are available from Adobe.

Please note: Some of these motion/order formats and forms are specific to the division they were generated in. Please be sure that, when you download a document or form, that it applies to your case and location (i.e., a motion format in the Waco Division will not apply to the Austin Division).

To download a document or form, move your mouse cursor onto the hyperlink for the form you want and click with your LEFT mouse button. This will simply open the file on your screen. If this does not work with your browser, check your browser's help for instructions on saving files from the internet.

The CJA Hourly Rates Table applies to all CJA 20 and CJA 30 (Death Penalty) forms submitted for payment.

CJA Compensation Maximums for Capital and Non-Capital Cases for attorneys and service providers.

Downloadable Documents, Worksheets and Forms

Forms

Document Title	Document Link
CJA Form 20 - Appointment and Authority to Pay Court Appointed Counsel This form will be provided to you by the Clerk at the time of your appointment.	Instructions
CJA Form 21 - Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services	CJA Form 21 Instructions
Instructions on Payments to Interpreters	Interpreter Payments
CJA Form 24   Authorization and Voucher for Payment of Transcript	CJA Form 24 Instructions
PLEASE NOTE:   A separate CJA-24 form should be completed if you are ordering transcripts from both the district court and magistrate court, even if it's in the same case. If several court reporters were utilized to record the proceedings, a separate CJA-24 form should be completed for each court reporter.
CJA Form 30   Death Penalty Proceedings Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court Appointed Counsel This form will be provided to you by the Clerk at the time of your appointment.	Instructions
CJA Form 31 - Death Penalty Proceedings: Ex Parte Request for Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services	CJA Form 31 Instructions

All CJA vouchers submitted for payment must contain supporting documentation. To assist you with this requirement, please use the worksheets below.

Worksheets

Document Title	Document Link
In Court Hourly Worksheet	CJA 20 Worksheet 1
	CJA 30 Worksheet 1
Out of Court Hourly Worksheet	CJA 20 Worksheet 2
	CJA 30 Worksheet 2
Other Expense Worksheet	CJA 20 Worksheet 3
	CJA 30 Worksheet 3
Representation Table	CJA Worksheet 4

Criminal Voluntary Panel Questionnaire and Application
El Paso Division Only

Criminal Justice Act Plan for El Paso: El Paso CJA Plan

Please complete the application and return it the address below if you are interested in criminal appointments in the EL PASO division only: Application

Clerk, United States District Court
Attn: CJA Panel Committee
511 E. San Antonio, Room 219
El Paso, Texas 79901

Please direct any questions to Mr. Tom Hilburger, Divisional Office Manager, El Paso Division, at (915) 534-6725, ext 221.

Criminal Voluntary Panel Plan, Questionnaire and Application
San Antonio Division Only

Criminal Justice Act Plan for San Antonio: San Antonio CJA Plan

Please complete the application and return it the address below if you are interested in criminal appointments in the SAN ANTONIO division only: Application

Attn: CJA Panel Committee
c/o Federal Public Defender
727 E. Durango Boulevard, Suite B-207
San Antonio, TX 78206-1278

Please direct any questions to Mr. Michael Oakes, Divisional Office Manager, San Antonio Division, at (210) 472-6550, ext 282.

Standing Order Adopting CJA Plan
Waco Division Only

Standing Order and Criminal Justice Act Plan for Waco: Waco CJA Plan

Please complete the application and return it the address below if you are interested in criminal appointments in the WACO division only: Application

Clerk, United States District Court
Attn: CJA Panel Committee
800 Franklin Avenue, Room 380
Waco, Texas 76701

Please direct any questions to Mr. Mark Borchardt, Divisional Office Manager, Waco Division, at (254) 750-1501.