Question about CJA vouchers

[Demosthenes]

What does it mean when it says "Amount withheld this voucher" on CJA payments? It doesn't appear to be a consistent percentage.

For example, here are Reno's lawyer's vouchers.

01/30/2008 223 INTERIM CJA 20, Interim Voucher # 1 as to Cirino Gonzalez: Authorization to Pay David H. Bownes, Esq. Total amount authorized/certified: $7,167.10. Amount paid this voucher: $5,789.06. Amount withheld this voucher: $1,378.04. So Ordered by Judge James R. Muirhead. (Original document available in clerks office.) (jeb) Modified on 1/30/2008 to add: document number(Boucher, Janice). (Entered: 01/30/2008)

03/28/2008 349 INTERIM CJA 20, Interim Voucher # 2 as to Cirino Gonzalez: Authorization to Pay David H. Bownes, Esq. Total amount authorized/certified: $5,906.05. Amount paid this voucher: $4,894.05. Amount withheld this voucher: $1,012.00. Certified by USDC Magistrate Judge Muirhead on 2/20/08. Approved by USCA Judge Howard on 3/19/08. (Original document available in clerks office.) (jeb) (Entered: 03/28/2008)

06/10/2008 441 INTERIM CJA 20, Interim Voucher # 3 as to Cirino Gonzalez: Authorization to Pay David H. Bownes, Esq. Total amount authorized/certified: $7481.93. Amount paid this voucher: $6,233.93. Amount withheld this voucher: $1248.00. Certified by USDC Judge Muirhead on 4/17/08. Approved by USCA Judge Howard on 6/5/08. (Original document available in clerks office.) (tmh) (Entered: 06/11/2008)

06/10/2008 442 INTERIM CJA 20, Interim Voucher #4 as to Cirino Gonzalez: Authorization to Pay David H. Bownes, Esq. Total amount authorized/certified: $26,047.78. Amount paid this voucher: $20,973.18. Amount withheld this voucher: $5,074.00. Certified by USDC Judge Muirhead on 5/5/08. Approved by USCA Judge Howard on 6/5/08. (Original document available in clerks office.) (tmh) (Entered: 06/11/2008)

So far:

Total authorized $46,602.86
Total paid $37,890.22
Total withheld $8,712.64

[webhick]

What does it mean when it says "Amount withheld this voucher" on CJA payments? It doesn't appear to be a consistent percentage.

Perhaps they're paying out of pocket expenses up front and then retaining a set percentage of the billed labor? I've seen that happen a lot in the construction industry.

[Demosthenes]

I also wonder if it has anything to do with the state possibly paying for Reno's defense and counsel having to submit vouchers and such to get reimbursed. Just a thought.

My question wasn't why are defense lawyers being paid, my question is why are varying amounts being withheld from those payments.

[Lambkin]

My question wasn't why are defense lawyers being paid, my question is why are varying amounts being withheld from those payments.

Keeping pace with the inflated price of gold fringe, perhaps, or fuel surcharge for fringe delivery from China?

[Demosthenes]

It is a good question though.

Suck up.

[wserra]

Perhaps they're paying out of pocket expenses up front and then retaining a set percentage of the billed labor? I've seen that happen a lot in the construction industry.

That's exactly what it is. Good thought, webhick.

Remembering that my info is ten years old: any time a CJA lawyer submits an interim voucher (which the presiding judge must authorize in the first place), typically one-third of the fee is withheld until the final voucher. Expenses, however, are reimbursed fully with the interim.

[Demosthenes]

Thanks!

[The Observer]

There has to be a more nefarious explanation, such as the withhheld amounts are kickbacks to the judge to ensure that he upholds the illegal income tax system or that the money goes to pay off the attornies' British Attorney Registration (BAR) fees.