§ 11-2604 — Payment for representation.

(a) Any attorney appointed pursuant to this chapter shall, at the conclusion of the representation or any segment thereof, be compensated an hourly rate not to exceed the rate payable under section 3006A(d)(1) of title 18, United States Code. Such attorney shall be reimbursed for expenses reasonably incurred.

(b) The compensation to be paid to an attorney appointed pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed the following maximum amounts:

(1) For representation of a defendant before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for misdemeanors or felonies, the maximum amount set forth in section 3006A(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code, for representation of a defendant before the United States magistrate judge or the district court for misdemeanors or felonies (as the case may be).

(2) For representation of a defendant before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the maximum amount set forth in section 3006A(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code, for representation of a defendant in an appellate court.

(3) For representation of a defendant in post-trial matters for misdemeanors or felonies, the amount applicable under paragraph (1) for misdemeanors or felonies (as the case may be).

(c) Claims for compensation and reimbursement in excess of any maximum amount provided in subsection (b) of this section may be approved for extended or complex representation whenever such payment is necessary to provide fair compensation. Any such request for payment shall be submitted by the attorney for approval by the chief judge of the Superior Court upon recommendation of the presiding judge in the case or, in cases before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, approval by the chief judge of the Court of Appeals upon recommendation of the presiding judge in the case. Each chief judge may delegate such approval authority to an active or senior judge in the court in which the chief judge sits.

(d) A separate claim for compensation and reimbursement shall be made to the Superior Court for representation before that court, and to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for representation before that court. Each claim shall be supported by a sworn written statement specifying the time expended, services rendered, and expenses incurred while the case was pending before the court, and the compensation and reimbursement applied for or received in the same case from any other source. The court shall fix the compensation and reimbursement to be paid to the attorney. In cases where representation is furnished other than before the Superior Court or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, claims shall be submitted to the Superior Court which shall fix the compensation and reimbursement to be paid.

(e) For purposes of compensation and other payments authorized by this section, an order by a court granting a new trial shall be deemed to initiate a new case.

(f) If a person for whom counsel is appointed under this section appeals to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, such person may do so without prepayment of fees and costs or security therefor and without filing the affidavit required by section 1915(a) of title 28, United States Code.

Legislative History

Sept. 3, 1974, 88 Stat. 1091, Pub. L. 93-412, § 2; Jan. 31, 1984, D.C. Law 5-44, § 2, 30 DCR 5411; Aug. 6, 1993, D.C. Law 10-11, § 201, 40 DCR 4007; Sept. 30, 1993, D.C. Law 10-25, § 201, 40 DCR 5489; June 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103-266, § 1(b)(121), 108 Stat. 713; Sept. 26, 1995, D.C. Law 11-52, § 805, 42 DCR 3684; Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 928, Pub. L. 107-96, par. 20(a)(1), (c); Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2307, Pub. L. 107-117, § 404; Oct. 2, 2008, 122 Stat. 3724, Pub. L. 110-335, § 1; Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 700, Pub. L. 111-8, § 822(a)