Source: http://il.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20150714_0000840.SIL.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-10-27 11:27:51
Document Index: 762981329

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3599', '§ 3599', '§ 3599', '§ 230', '§230', '§ 3006']

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff,v.JAMES NATHANIEL WATTS, Defendant.
This matter comes before the Court on the motion for appointment of attorney Robert L. Tucker as third counsel for defendant James Nathaniel Watts (“the defendant”) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3599(a)(1). Watts’ current counsel have moved for a determination of Tucker’s qualifications to represent the defendant in this potential capital case and have submitted Tucker’s curricula vitae (Doc. 115). Having reviewed those documents and considered the seriousness of the possible penalty and the unique and complex nature of this litigation, the Court GRANTS the motion (Doc. 115) and CERTIFIES that exceptional circumstance and good cause exist for appointment of Tucker pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3599(d) in that his background, knowledge and experience in defending capital cases would enable him to properly represent the defendant, along with the defendant’s current two counsel. Accordingly, the Court APPOINTS Tucker to represent the defendant in this case effective as of his admission to practice before this Court and ending one year from the date of this order. Counsel may reapply for a longer appointment for good cause. Tucker shall have free access to the defendant at all reasonable hours.
The Court further ORDERS counsel to submit an ex parte proposed budget setting forth Tucker’s anticipated fees and expenses on or before August 14, 2015. No payment shall be made to Tucker until approval of such a budget.
The Court further ORDERS that pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3599(g)(1), Tucker shall have his compensation fixed at the rate of $181.00 per hour for in-court and out-of-court time with respect to all matters affecting the representation of the defendant. The reimbursable rate for work performed by associates assisting Tucker not employed by the Federal Public Defender is $100.00 per hour and for work performed by paralegals is $35.00 per hour with respect to all work performed on behalf of the defendant.
Because of the expected length of the trial in this case and the anticipated hardship on counsel in undertaking representation full-time for such a period without compensation, under the Guide to Judiciary Policy (Guide), Volume 7, Part A, §§ 230.73.20 and 630.40, the following procedures for interim payments apply during the course of the representation in this case:
I. Submission of Vouchers All vouchers submitted shall be ex parte and shall be placed under seal, separate and apart from the file until further order of the Court. All vouchers shall be submitted to the Federal Public Defender bi-monthly on CJA Form 30, “Death Penalty Proceedings; Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court Appointed Counsel.” Compensation earned and reimbursable expenses incurred during the bi-monthly period shall be claimed on an interim voucher submitted no later than the tenth day of the following month, or the first business day thereafter. The first interim voucher shall reflect all compensation claimed and reimbursable expenses that have not already been submitted for payment from the date of appointment to September 30, 2015, and shall be submitted no later than October 12, 2015. Thereafter, vouchers shall be submitted according to the schedule outlined above. Each voucher will be numbered when processed for payment. Counsel should complete Item 18 on the form for each interim voucher. Interim vouchers shall be submitted in accordance with this schedule even if little or no compensation or expenses are claimed for a period. All interim vouchers shall be supported by detailed and itemized time and expense statements. Guide, Volume 7A, Chapter 6, and Chapter 2, §230, outlines the procedures and rules for claims by CJA attorneys and should be followed on each voucher.
(a) Case related travel by privately owned automobile should be claimed at the rate of 57.5 cents per mile, plus parking fees, ferry fares, and bridge, road, and tunnel tolls. Transportation other than by privately owned automobile should be claimed on an actual expense basis. Air travel in “first class” is prohibited. Counsel and persons providing services under the CJA are encouraged to contact the Federal Public Defender’s Office for air travel authorization at government rates.
(b) Actual expenses incurred for meals and lodging while traveling outside of the Southern District of Illinois in the course of this representation must conform to the prevailing limitations placed upon travel and subsistence expenses for federal judiciary employees in accordance with existing government travel regulations. For specific details concerning high cost areas, counsel should consult the Federal Public Defender’s Office.
Answers to questions concerning appointment under the CJA can generally be found in:
• 18 U.S.C. § 3006A; • the Criminal Justice Act Plan of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, available at http://www.ilsd.uscourts.gov/DistrictCourtPlans.aspx; and • the Guide, Vol. 7, Part A (Guidelines for Administering the CJA and Related Statutes), published by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, available at http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/AppointmentOfCounsel/CJAGuidelinesForms/G uideToJudiciaryPolicyVolume7.aspx.
Should these references fail to provide the desired clarification or direction, counsel should address their inquiries directly to the Federal Public Defender’s Office or the Court.