Who may request services
Attorneys appointed under the CJA, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, may request authorization under subsection (e) of the Act. In death penalty cases, 18 U.S.C. § 3599 adds authority, and the notice also points to 18 U.S.C. § 3005.
CJA 25
Notice to CJA Panel Attorney Regarding Availability of Investigative, Expert and Other Services
- Agency
- U.S. Courts
- Revision
- Rev. 08/16
- Fillable fields
- 1
- Pages
- 1
- Official source
- U.S. Courts form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
CJA 25: Notice to CJA Panel Attorney on Investigative, Expert and Other Services
CJA 25, Notice to CJA Panel Attorney Regarding Availability of Investigative, Expert and Other Services, is a Criminal Justice Act (CJA) notice from the U.S. Courts. The U.S. Courts list it under CJA Forms. The PDF is dated Rev. 08/16, and the page lists it as effective on August 1, 2016.
It is a one-page notice with no blanks to fill in. It tells attorneys appointed under the CJA, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, that they may request authorization under subsection (e) of the Act to obtain investigative, expert and other services necessary for adequate representation, paid from funds appropriated for the administration of the CJA. It describes how requests are made, a cautionary note on prior authorization and payment limits, and the forms service providers use to claim payment.
This page explains the notice in plain words and is not legal advice. You can open it free in your browser on this page and download it without an account.
What's in CJA 25
Types of services
Besides investigators, psychiatrists, psychologists and reporters, the notice says services may include, but not necessarily be limited to, interpreters, computer and automation litigation support, paralegals, neurologists and laboratory experts.
How requests are made
Requests go to the presiding judge or magistrate judge by ex parte application. The notice says the CJA Guidelines provide that these are heard in camera, not revealed without the defendant's consent, and placed under seal until final disposition in the trial court.
Cautionary note: $800
Prior authorization should be secured for all subsection (e) services where the total cost, not counting expenses, will exceed $800. Claims are then approved by the presiding judicial officer, who may waive the $800 limit in the interest of justice.
Limits of $2,500 and $7,500
In non-death penalty proceedings, a service provider's claim (excluding expenses) in excess of $2,500 needs a certification and the chief judge's approval. In death penalty cases a waivable limit of $7,500 applies to all services combined, including expenses.
Claiming payment
Service providers claim payment directly on CJA Form 21, or in death penalty proceedings on CJA Form 31. The notice says counsel should review the Criminal Justice Act and the CJA Guidelines, accessible through www.uscourts.gov.
How to use CJA 25
- 1
Read the notice
CJA 25 is one page of text with no blanks to fill in. It can be opened, read and printed.
- 2
Note where requests go
The notice says requests for subsection (e) services should be made to the presiding judge or magistrate judge by ex parte application.
- 3
Check the prior authorization note
The cautionary note says prior authorization should be secured where the combined cost of all services, not counting expenses, will exceed $800.
- 4
Check the payment limits
The notice describes the $2,500 limit for a service provider in non-death penalty proceedings and the $7,500 limit for all services combined in death penalty cases.
- 5
Use the claim form it names
The notice says payment should be claimed directly by the service provider on CJA Form 21, or on CJA Form 31 in death penalty proceedings.
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Requests, limits and payment
Where requests go
To the presiding judge or magistrate judge, by ex parte application, so that an open hearing does not cause a defendant to reveal his or her defense.
Confidentiality
The notice says the CJA Guidelines provide that ex parte applications are heard in camera, are not revealed without the defendant's consent, and are placed under seal until the final disposition of the case in the trial court, subject to final order of the court.
Fees
The notice does not print a filing fee. It says services are paid from funds appropriated for the administration of the CJA.
Payment limits
The notice prints three amounts: $800 for prior authorization; $2,500 for a service provider's claim in non-death penalty proceedings; and $7,500 for all services combined in death penalty cases.
Related forms
CJA 21
Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services
69 fields, 1 page
CJA 31
Death Penalty Proceedings: Ex Parte Request for Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services
71 fields, 1 page
CJA 20
Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court-Appointed Counsel
149 fields, 1 page
CJA 30
Death Penalty Proceedings: Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court-Appointed Counsel
90 fields, 1 page
Who is CJA 25 for?
The notice is addressed to CJA panel attorneys. It names these people and roles.
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Questions about Form CJA 25
Is CJA 25 a form to fill out?
No. It is a one-page notice with no blanks to fill in. It tells CJA panel attorneys about requesting investigative, expert and other services and the limits that apply.
When does the notice say prior authorization is needed?
The cautionary note says prior authorization should be secured from the presiding judicial officer in a non-death or death penalty representation for all subsection (e) services where the total cost, exclusive of expenses, of all services combined will exceed $800.
Why are requests made ex parte?
The notice says ex parte applications are used to prevent the possibility that an open hearing concerning a request may cause a defendant to reveal his or her defense.
What limit applies in death penalty cases?
The notice says there is a different waivable limit of $7,500, and the $2,500 amount does not apply. The $7,500 limit covers total payments, including expenses, for all investigative, expert and other services combined in a representation.
Which form does a service provider use to claim payment?
The notice names CJA Form 21, Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services, and in death penalty proceedings, CJA Form 31, Death Penalty Proceedings: Ex Parte Request for Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services.
Does this page say whether a service will be approved?
No. This page explains the notice in plain words and cannot say whether a request will be granted. The notice says counsel should review the Criminal Justice Act and the CJA Guidelines.