APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL IN CRIMINAL CASES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN
Contents
The general procedures for the appointment of counsel in criminal cases in
the Western District of Wisconsin are set forth in the Criminal Justice Act,
codified at 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. The Act requires each United States District
Court to have a plan for furnishing representation "for any person financially
unable to obtain adequate representation . . . ." 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. In the Western District of
Wisconsin, the plan provides that representation to qualified
defendants shall be provided by Community Defender Organization of Wisconsin, Inc., pursuant to subsections (g)(1) and (g)(2)(B) of the Criminal Justice Act.
The Criminal Justice Act authorizes the appointment of counsel for various
individuals, including those charged with felonies or Class A misdemeanors,
those alleged to have violated probation or supervised release and material
witnesses in custody. See 18 U.S.C. § 3006A (a)(1). In addition, when the
interests of justice so require, the court may appoint counsel for individuals
charged with Class B or C misdemeanors or for individuals seeking habeas corpus
relief. See § 3006A (a)(2).
Any attorney who is admitted to practice in the Western District of Wisconsin
is eligible to be on the panel.
To apply, attorneys must complete an application. Forward the application to Community Defender Organization of Wisconsin, Inc.
Michael_Lieberman@fd.org
Community Defender Organization of Wisconsin, Inc. will decide whether to admit the attorney to the panel. New attorneys are not eligible for appointments until they have
attended at least one training seminar relating to federal criminal practice that includes instruction on
the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Please refer to Western District of Wisconsin CJA Reference Manual.
Counsel's obligations on
appeal
Pursuant to Seventh Circuit Rule 51, trial counsel in a criminal case, whether retained or appointed by the district court, is responsible for the
continued representation of the client desiring to appeal unless specifically
relieved by the court of appeals upon a motion to withdraw." This means that if
the client wishes to appeal, appointed counsel must file a notice of appeal on
the client's behalf in the district court. Once the notice of appeal has been
filed, the Court of Appeals will appoint trial counsel as appellate counsel
without requiring further proof of the client's eligibility for appointed
counsel.
If counsel does not wish to represent the client on appeal, after filing the
notice of appeal counsel should file a motion to withdraw in the Court of
Appeals. Circuit Rule 51 provides that such relief shall be "freely granted."
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(b), a defendant's notice of
appeal must be filed in the district court within 10 days after the later of the entry of either the judgment or the order being appealed OR the filing of the government's notice of appeal. The notice of appeal must be accompanied by a docketing statement as required by Circuit Rule 3(c). Before filing an appeal, counsel should study the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Circuit Rules. Questions regarding appeals may be directed to Marlene Olson in the Western District of Wisconsin District Court Clerk's Office, (608) 261-5712.
Community Defender Organization of Wisconsin, Inc.
Michael Lieberman, Supervisory Associate Federal Defender
Rob Ruth, CJA Panel Representative, Western District of Wisconsin
Rich Reilly , Finance Department, U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
VOUCHER INQUIRIES:
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United States District Court
Western District of Wisconsin
120 North Henry Street, Room 320
P.O. Box 432
Madison, WI 53701-0432
(608)264-5156
fax: (608)264-5925
This file last modified 01/07/08.
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