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Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019) |
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R25. Administrative Services, Finance |
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R25-14. Payment of Attorney's Fees in Death Penalty Cases |
| R25-14-1. Authority and Purpose |
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Latest version.
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(1) This rule is enacted pursuant to Section 78B-9-202. (2) The purpose of the rule is to establish the procedures for payment of attorney's fees and litigation expenses by the Division of Finance to legal counsel appointed by courts to represent indigent persons sentenced to death who request representation to file an action under Title 78B, Chapter 9, Post-Conviction Remedies Act. (3) All payments under this rule are subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Utah State Legislature for the purpose of making these payments. (4) This rule applies to fees and expenses incurred on and following the effective date of this rule. |
| R25-14-2. Request for Payment |
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To obtain payment for attorney's fees and litigation expenses, counsel appointed by a court, pursuant to Section 78B-9-202, shall: (1) Present to the Division of Finance a certified copy of the court order of appointment before or at the time the first request for payment is submitted. (2) Obtain the court's review and written approval certifying that the fees and expenses were reasonable in accordance with Section 78B-9-202 and this rule. (3) Submit the court's written approval and a request for payment to the Division of Finance. (4) The request for payment must verify that the work has been performed as provided by this rule and Section 78B-9-202 and be signed by the appointed counsel. The request for payment must be sufficiently itemized to describe the services performed and such other information as may be reasonably required by the Division of Finance to properly review and process the payment. Original invoices must be submitted for all litigation expenses for which payment is requested. (5) Before making payment, the Division of Finance may request additional supporting documentation. (6) The Division of Finance may withhold payment for any item in a request for payment when such item conflicts with this rule or the Post-Conviction Remedies Act pending resolution of the amount requested. |
| R25-14-3. Scope of Services |
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(1) All appointed counsel, by accepting the court appointment to represent an indigent client sentenced to death and by presenting a request for payment to the Division of Finance, agree in accordance with the Post-Conviction Remedies Act to provide all reasonable and necessary post-conviction legal services for the client, and represent the client in all legal proceedings conducted thereafter including, if requested by the client, an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. (2) Full compensation for the legal services performed and litigation costs incurred shall be the amounts provided in the Post-Conviction Remedies Act and this rule. |
| R25-14-4. Schedule of Payments of Attorney's Fees |
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(1) The Division of Finance shall pay reasonable attorney's fees for appointed counsel up to the maximum rate of $125 per billable hour not to exceed a total amount on $60,000, except as provided in the subsection (2). (2) The Division of Finance shall pay amounts exceeding the total amount if: (a) before services were performed, appointed counsel files a request with the court to exceed the total amount allowed by subsection (1); (b) appointed counsel serves the request upon the Division of Finance before or on the date of filing the request with the court; (c) the Division of Finance is allowed to respond to the request; and (d) the court determines there is sufficient cause to exceed the amount in accordance with Section 78B-9-202. |
| R25-14-5. Payment of Reasonable Litigation Expenses |
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Latest version.
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The Division of Finance shall pay reasonable litigation expenses not to exceed a total amount of $20,000 except as provided in subsection (2). (2) The Division of Finance shall pay amounts exceeding the total amount if: (a) before services are performed or expenses are incurred, appointed counsel files a request with the court to exceed the total amount; (b) appointed counsel serves the request upon the Division of Finance before or on the date of filing the request with the court; (c) the Division of Finance is allowed to respond to the request; and (d) the court determines there is sufficient cause to exceed the total amount in accordance with Section 78B-9-202. (3) Travel costs, including mileage, per diem for meals, and lodging will be reimbursed based on state rates and criteria published in rule or policy by the Division of Finance. Travel is not reasonable when the purpose of the travel can reasonably be accomplished in another way, such as by telephone or correspondence. |