If I have a complaint about how a voucher is handled, what can I do?
Who is on the Standing Committee on Indigent Defense?
What percentage of indigent appointments does the Federal Defender's office take?
When and how may I apply to take CJA appointments?
You may apply at any time, by calling FDSW for an application packet. The Standing Committee on Indigent Defense (consisting of five lawyers, appointed by the judges) meets periodically, making recommendations to the district's judges on panel membership. The judges make the final decision.
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If I have a complaint about how a voucher is handled, what can I do?
You probably should not write or call the responsible judge directly. Rather, consider submitting the voucher to the Standing Committee on Indigent Defense. Under the Eastern District of Wisconsin's 1999 CJA Plan, that committee can play something of an ombudsman's role in voucher disputes. The committee will consider any information you may wish to submit, will hold it confidential unless you give permission to disclose it, and will make a non-binding recommendation to you (and to the judge, if you wish) on the reasonableness or propriety of the voucher. While the judge retains final authority, the judges appointed the Standing Committee and consider thoughtfully the committee's views.
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Who is on the Standing Committee on Indigent Defense?
Presently, the members are Prof. Janine Geske (MULS, former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, and mediator); Daniel E. Conley (litigation partner, Quarles & Brady); Eduardo Borda (private practice, criminal defense and CJA panel lawyer); Brendan J. Rowen (partner, Steinhafel, Smith & Rowen, S.C., CJA panel lawyer); and Dean A. Strang (Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin, Inc.). Members have three-year terms, except for the Federal Defender or his/her designee, whose seat on the committee is permanent.
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What percentage of indigent appointments does the Federal Defender's office take?
That will fluctuate over time, but should remain approximately 45-55%. Under both the CJA Plan and the Criminal Justice Act, private attorneys are to be appointed in a "substantial proportion" of indigent cases. The CJA Plan in the Eastern District of Wisconsin interprets that to mean at least 25% of all cases, "when practicable."
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Last revised: January 23, 2003
