Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Crime & Federalism

Criminal Law

: Crime & Federalism

Sometimes It's Better Not to Appeal

In the federal courts, court-appointed lawyers in complex cases must have their fee requests judicially approved.  Spokane lawyer Gerald R. Smith requested a large fee request for a court-appointed case - over $46,000.  The trial court hinted that Mr. Smith's performance was not worthy of $46,000: [T]he Honorable Justin L. Quackenbush, Senior United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington and the presiding judge in the underlying matter, sent Mr. Smith a letter responding to his claim. The letter explained that, while Judge Quackenbush had previously categorizedthe case as ?complex? for excess compensation purposes,18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d)(3), he was hesitant to approve an additional $46,930.80, the full amount Mr. Smith was now requesting...continue to full post

Full post as published by Crime & Federalism on November 10, 2009 (boomark / email).