Criminal Justice Act Panel (N.D. Cal)
Federal — Northern District County · U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
About
The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel for the Northern District of California provides defense counsel for indigent defendants in federal court. The panel features a developmental tier that welcomes newer attorneys with structured mentorship from experienced federal defenders. CJA rates are set nationally and are among the highest available for appointed defense work.
Rate Schedule
| Case Type | Rate Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| non-capital | Per Hour | $177/hr |
| capital | Per Hour | $226/hr |
Resources Available
Investigator
Federal CJA voucher system for investigators
Expert Witness
Expert funding through CJA vouchers, pre-approval required
Interpreter
Court-provided interpreters
Paralegal
Paralegal services available through CJA vouchers
Mentorship
Developmental panel with structured mentorship
CLE Training
Federal defender CLE training series
Requirements
- Bar Admission: California or admitted to N.D. Cal bar
- Minimum Experience: Varies by panel tier — developmental panel accepts newer attorneys
- Malpractice InsuranceRequired
- Background CheckRequired
Highlights
- $177/hr non-capital, $226/hr capital
- Developmental panel for newer attorneys
- Federal CJA voucher system for all support
- Structured mentorship program
- Prestigious federal court experience
Application Process
- Method: Application through the N.D. Cal Federal Defender's Office
- Timeline: Panel reviewed annually; developmental panel accepts rolling applications
Quick Info
- County
- Federal — Northern District
- Admin Body
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- Panel Type
- Federal CJA Panel
- Website
- www.cand.uscourts.gov
- Accepts New Attorneys
- Yes
- Developmental Program
- Available