Attorney Claiborne Ferguson is Appointed to the CJA Panel

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Jan. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- MEMPHIS, Tenn. – On Dec. 4, 2013, attorney Claiborne Ferguson received a letter from the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee informing him that the court is offering him an appointment to serve as a member of the CJA Attorney Panel for a three-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2014.

It is not easy for an attorney to get on the CJA panel and it is a very short list. After submitting his letter of interest and application to serve as a CJA Panel Attorney, attorney Ferguson is very pleased to have accomplished this significant recognition.

Under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, those who are accused of crimes are guaranteed the right to representation by counsel in serious prosecutions. In the past, the responsibility for appointing counsel in federal criminal proceedings for those who could not afford an attorney historically rested upon the federal judiciary. In 1964, the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) was enacted to establish a sophisticated system for appointing lawyers to represent defendants who were financially unable to retain counsel in federal criminal proceedings. The CJA authorized the payment of reasonable attorney fees and the payment of expert and investigative services necessary to an adequate defense.

More than 45 years since the CJA was enacted, there are 80 authorized federal defender organizations that employ over 3,300 attorneys, investigators, paralegals and supportive personnel who serve 90 of the 94 federal judicial districts. Federal defender organizations, along with over 10,000 private panel attorneys who accept CJA assignments every year represent the majority of those who are prosecuted in our nation’s federal courts. In districts with a defender organization, panel attorneys are assigned approximately 30 to 40 percent of the CJA cases, which are generally those with a conflict of interest or another factor that precludes federal defender representation. On a nationwide basis, federal defenders receive about 60 percent of CJA appointments, whereas the remaining 40 percent are assigned to the CJA panel.

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts is responsible for overseeing the expenditure of funds appropriated by Congress. It administers the federal defender and panel attorney program nationwide and is responsible for training relating to representation under the CJA. Program support for the CJA is provided by the Office of Defender Services of the Administrative Office.

Claiborne Ferguson is the owner and senior counsel of The Claiborne Ferguson Law Firm, P.A., located in Memphis, Tennessee. As a certified criminal trial specialist, he earned Avvo’s Clients’ Choice Award for 2013 and he received a Superb Avvo Rating. He is a proud member of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification for criminal defense, the National Association of Criminal Defense lawyers, and the National College for DUI Defense. To arrange a free consultation with attorney Ferguson where you can discuss your criminal matter, please call (901) 878-5434 or visit the firm’s website online at http://www.midsouthcriminaldefense.com.