Federal Public Defender, Northern & Southern Districts of Mississippi

Dennis Joiner, Federal Public Defender

CJA Panel Information

 

CJA Panel Attorney Training

The programs described in the following link are Training Branch events designed for appointed counsel, and other professionals who assist appointed counsel, in federal criminal cases. Registration for each of these programs is free. The page is divided into programs for panel attorneys, programs for federal defender staff (which are coordinated through the Federal Judicial Center), and programs for both panel attorneys and federal defender staff. In addition, at the bottom of the page we have included links to training events offered by Federal Defender or Community Defender organizations, and organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

 

National Panel Attorney Training Programs

 

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

 

· How do I become a CJA Panel Attorney?

     Application forms for CJA Panel membership are available upon

     request from the Office of the Federal Public Defender.  Completed applications for the

     Southern District should be returned to the CJA Panel Administrator.  The completed

     applications for the Northern District should be forwarded to the Chief Judge of the

     Northern District and a copy sent to the Clerk of the Court. 

 

· What is the criteria for a CJA Panel Attorney?

     Applicants must be members in good standing of the district

     court trial bar and must have experience with, and knowledge of, the Federal

     Rules of Criminal Procedure the Federal Rules of  Evidence and the Federal

     Sentencing Guidelines.  Applicants must participate in CJA Panel Training

     sessions.                                            

 

· What is the duration of a CJA appointment?

     A defendant shall be represented at every stage of proceedings

     from initial appearance before the U.S. Magistrate Judge or the

    District Court Judge, through appeal, including ancillary matters.