CJA Panel Attorney Hourly Rate Increases

The panel attorney hourly rates will increase from $175 to $177 for non-capital work and from $223 to $226 for capital work. The new rates apply to services performed on or after January 1, 2026. Where appointment of counsel occurred before January 1, 2026, the new hourly compensation rates apply to that portion of services provided on or after the effective date.

CJA Panel Attorney Case Compensation Maximums

Because of the increase in the non-capital hourly rate, the waivable case compensation maximum amounts for non-capital representations will be as follows:

$13,800 (previously $13,600)
$9,800 (previously $9,700)
$3,900 (unchanged)
$3,000 (previously $2,900)

Payments above these amounts may be authorized when certified by the presiding judicial officer and approved by the circuit’s chief judge or their delegate. Guide, Vol. 7A, Ch. 2, § 230.23.10(c) and § 230.23.40.

The new case compensation maximums apply to a voucher submitted by appointed counsel if that person furnished any CJA-compensable work on or after January 1, 2026. The former case compensation maximums apply to a voucher submitted by appointed counsel if that person’s CJA-compensable work on the representation was completed before January 1, 2026.

Investigative, Expert, or Other Services Case Compensation Maximums

In 2026, the federal pay adjustment will not change the case compensation maximums for investigative, expert, or other services in a non-capital representation.

The waivable case compensation maximum amount with prior authorization remains at $3,000. The $3,000 amount, which excludes expenses, applies to each individual service provider in a non-capital representation. Payment in excess of this amount may be made when certified by the court or U.S. magistrate judge and approved by the chief judge of the circuit or their delegate. Guide, Vol. 7A, Ch. 3, § 310.20.20.

The waivable case compensation maximum amount without prior authorization remains at $1,000. The $1,000 amount, which excludes expenses, applies to the total compensation allowed for all non-attorney services combined for which prior judicial authorization was not obtained (absent the court finding in the interest of justice that timely procurement of necessary services could not await prior authorization). The limitation does not apply to each service provider individually. Guide, Vol. 7A, Ch. 3, § 310.20.30