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ANNOUNCEMENTS

The panel training sessions are suspended during the months of June, July, and August. The next training will take place in September 2008.

WHAT IS CJA?

The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) provides for legal services for any person charged with a federal offense who is financially unable to obtain adequate representation. If the court determines that a person is eligible for appointment of counsel, either the Federal Public Defender or an attorney in private practice compensated under the CJA Plan is appointed. The Federal Public Defender is appointed to represent approximately 75% of the financially eligible federal defendants in the Eastern District of California. The remaining eligible defendants are represented by private attorneys who have qualified for appointment under the Criminal Justice Act panel. Attorneys selected for the federal panel must have demonstrated experience in, and knowledge of, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, Sentencing Guidelines and the Local Rules. The application form and further information are set forth below. The Federal Defender’s Sacramento panel administrator, Cynthia Compton, can be reached at (916) 498-5700 and the Fresno panel administrator, Nancy McGee, can be reached at (559) 487-5561.

The Federal Defender’s Offices in Sacramento and Fresno hold training programs for the attorneys who are on the federal CJA panel and provide Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits for each seminar. There is no fee to attend and sessions are normally held in Sacramento on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the 4th Floor Courtroom, 801 I Street, Sacramento, and in Fresno on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:45 p.m. at the Downtown Club, 2120 Kern Street, Fresno.

The Federal Defender’s Office in Sacramento also presents an informal summer training program for attorneys and law clerks who are new to federal practice (and for those who wish to sharpen their skills). There is no charge to attend. Sessions cover topics such as Arraignments and Bail, Discovery, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Motion and Trial Practice, Plea Agreements, Presentence Reports and Sentencing. All sessions take place on specified Fridays between noon and 2:00 p.m. at the Federal Defender's Office, 801 I Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento.

Forms for the use of our panel attorneys are set forth below.

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

  • Training Handouts
    2008 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    2007 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1 Secured Documents are available only to CJA Panel attorneys, please contact Kurt Heiser at 916-498-5700 or fill out the CJA Application under Public Documents.
 
     
               
       

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