Opinion ID: 43721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Pease’s Hyde Amendment claim

Text: A grant or denial of attorney’s fees under the Hyde Amendment “is reviewed for an abuse of discretion.” United States v. Adkinson, 247 F.3d 1289, 1290 (11th Cir. 2001). “‘An abuse of discretion occurs if the judge fails to apply the proper legal standard or to follow proper procedures in making the determination, or bases an award [or a denial] upon findings of fact that are clearly erroneous.’” United States v. Gilbert, 198 F.3d 1293, 1298 (11th Cir. 1999)(citation omitted). The Hyde Amendment provides in relevant part that [d]uring fiscal year 1998 and in any fiscal year thereafter, the court, in any criminal case (other than a case in which the defendant is represented by assigned counsel paid for by the public) pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 26, 1997], may award 10 to a prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee and other litigation expenses, where the court finds that the position of the United States was vexatious, frivolous, or in bad faith, unless the court finds that special circumstances make such an award unjust. Such awards shall be granted pursuant to the procedures and limitations (but not the burden of proof) provided for an award under section 2412 of title 28, United States Code. See Pub. L. No. 105-119, 111 Stat. 2440, 2519 (1997) (reprinted in 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, historical and statutory notes). “‘Vexatious’ means ‘without reasonable or probable cause or excuse.’” Gilbert, 198 F.3d at 1299. “A ‘frivolous action’ is one that is [g]roundless ... with little prospect of success; often brought to embarrass or annoy the defendant.” Id. “Finally, ‘bad faith’ ‘is not simply bad judgment or negligence, but rather it implies the conscious doing of a wrong because of dishonest purpose or moral obliquity; ... it contemplates a state of mind affirmatively operating with furtive design or ill will.” Id. (citations omitted). As discussed above, because the Government’s position with regard to the Rule 36 matter was substantially justified, Pease has not shown that it was vexatious, frivolous, or pursued in bad faith. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Pease an award of attorney’s fees and costs under the Hyde Amendment.