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Legislation
By Kyle O'Dowd
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Legislation columns.
It's not all bad: 108th Congress offers hope of indigent defense improvements
The 108th Congress marks the 40th anniversaries of both the Gideon decision
and the federal Criminal Justice Act. In addition to its vigorous
public education effort, NACDL will seek to commemorate these legal
landmarks with legislation to ensure fair compensation for appointed
counsel and competent representation for the poor. Scattered among the
rising heap of bills proposing new federal crimes, enhanced penalties,
and broader law enforcement powers lie a few proposals that would
actually improve our criminal justice system.
CJA rates and FY 2003 appropriations
Anyone who takes federal appointed cases knows that the hourly rate for
non-capital cases was increased to $90 in the 2002 appropriations bill.
That rate increase, which applies to both in-court and out-of-court
work, was implemented in May 2002. For FY 2003, the Federal Judicial
Conference has requested $113 per hour, to make
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