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Local Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Plans
CJA Divisional Plans
Panel Attorney Support
Office of Defender Services Training Branch
Defender Supreme Court Resource and Assistance Panel (DSCRAP). DSCRAP is a panel of federal defenders assisting court-appointed counsel engaged in supreme Court litigation: brainstorming issues, preparing and finalizing petitions and merits briefs, coordinating amicus curiae, and conducting moot courts prior to oral argument. Panel members have vast experience as counsel of record in hundreds of cases before the Court, briefing dozens of cert grants and arguing orally in many individual cases. Applying to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel in San Antonio. If you are an attorney licensed to practice in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, have an office address in the counties served within the San Antonio Division, and are interested in receiving federal court appointments, here are a few steps to guide you through the procedure on how to apply for the federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel, as well as a description of the resources available to help you. A Guide to Administrative Procedures Under the CJA An overview of procedures pertaining to appointment under the CJA, including tips for witness subpoenas; authorization for experts and other services; compensation; and reimbursement.Guidelines for the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act Interpreter Information Information on rates and procedures for hiring an interpreter for defense purposes. See the information here.Panel Attorneys Get Free Electronic Public Access Attorneys appointed under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) and related statutes are now exempt from payment of electronic public access (EPA) fees for work that is performed pursuant to such appointment in all federal courts. For information on how to establish an exempt account, see the Administrative Office memorandum.CJA Forms The prescribed forms for CJA claims, along with their instructions, may be downloaded from this site.Telephone and E-Mail Consultation Panel attorneys are encouraged to consult with the defender organization on any aspect of a CJA case. Inquiries may be directed by telephone or e-mail to individual attorneys, or to an office's reception for assignment to an attorney; see our office directory.Law Libraries The San Antonio, El Paso, Del Rio, and Austin offices of the federal defender organization have full federal criminal practice law libraries including statute services, case reporters, manuals, and treatises. Panel attorneys may use these library materials by appointment for research and preparation in a CJA case. Materials may not be removed from the library.Moot Courts for Appellate Arguments The appellate section in the San Antonio office will conduct a moot court (practice argument) for any panel attorney who is preparing to argue a CJA case before the Fifth Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court. CJA Panel Attorney Representative Each federal judicial district has a CJA panel attorney representative. As the representative of all panel attorneys in the district, the CJA panel representative acts as the point of contact between panel members and other components of the judicial branch (Court, Federal Public Defender, Administrative Office of the United States Courts) with respect to the CJA program. Office of the Federal Public Defender   |
