MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

J. PHIL GILBERT, District Judge.

This matter comes before the Court on the motion for appointment of Assistant Federal Public Defender Melissa A. Day and attorney John J. O'Gara Jr. as counsel for defendant James Nathaniel Watts ("the defendant") pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3005 and 3599(a)(1) and after consultation with the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Illinois. Counsel have moved for a determination of their qualifications to represent the defendant in this potential capital case and have submitted their respective curricula vitae (Doc. 24). Having reviewed those documents, the Court GRANTS the motion (Doc. 24) and CERTIFIES that both counsel are qualified to represent the defendant in a death penalty case under 18 U.S.C. § 3599(b) in that each has been admitted to practice in this Court for more than five years and has had more than three years' experience in the actual trial of felony prosecutions in this Court, and that John J. O'Gara Jr. is learned in the law applicable to capital cases under 18 U.S.C. § 3005. Defense counsel Day and O'Gara shall have free access to the defendant at all reasonable hours, as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 3005.

The Court further ORDERS that pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3599(g)(1), John J. O'Gara Jr. shall have his compensation fixed at the rate of $180.00 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 Mr. O'Gara 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 July 31, 2014, and shall be submitted no later than August 11, 2014. 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.

The Federal Public Defender shall promptly audit each voucher and promptly resolve any questions regarding the hours or expenses claimed. The Court will review the interim vouchers, particularly with regard to the amount of time claimed, and will authorize compensation to be paid for the approved number of hours. The Court will also authorize payment of all reimbursable expenses reasonably incurred.

At the conclusion of the representation, counsel shall submit a final voucher seeking payment for representation provided during the final interim period. The final voucher shall also set forth in detail the time and expenses claimed for the entire case, including all necessary documentation. Counsel shall reflect all compensation and reimbursement previously received on the appropriate line of the final voucher.

II. Reimbursable Expenses

Counsel may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred incident to the representation. While the statute and applicable rules and regulations do not place a monetary limit on the amount of expenses that can be incurred, counsel should incur no single expense item in excess of $200.00 without prior approval of the Court. Such approval may be sought by filing an ex parte application stating the nature of the expense, the estimated dollar cost, and the reason the expense is necessary to the representation of the defendant. Upon finding that the expense is reasonable, the Court will authorize counsel to incur it. Recurring expenses, such as telephone toll calls, photocopying and photographs, which aggregate more than $200.00 on one or more interim vouchers are not considered single expenses requiring court approval.

With respect to travel outside of the Southern District of Illinois for the purpose of consulting with the defendant, interviewing witnesses, etc., the $200.00 rule should be applied in the following manner. Travel expenses, such as air fare, mileage, parking fees, meals, and lodging, can be claimed as itemized expenses. If the reimbursement for expenses relating to a single trip will aggregate an amount in excess of $500.00, the travel should receive prior approval of the court.

The following additional guidelines may be helpful to counsel:

III. Further Guidance

Answers to questions concerning appointment under the CJA can generally be found in:

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.

IT IS SO ORDERED.