Rates for Experts and Other Service Providers

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Approved by the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council, October 20, 2016

The Ninth Circuit Judicial Council has set presumptive rates for paralegals, investigators, support staff, and other categories of experts and service providers.  These rates are set forth below, as well as in Appendix 2 of the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit's Criminal Justice Act Policies and Procedures.  Please refer to that document for additional guidance.

Expert Types Rate Range
Paralegal1 $35 – $60
Law Student $15 – $25
Investigator2 $55 – $85
Legal Analyst/Consultant $75 – $100
Mitigation Specialist $75 – $100 ($55 for record collection)
Attorney Expert – Capital Case $183
Attorney Expert – Non-Capital Case $129
Litigation Support Expert $65 – $129
Psychiatrist (M.D.) $250 – $375
Neurologist (M.D.) $250 – $375
Other Medically-licensed Expert (M.D. or D.O.) $250 – $375
Neuropsychologist (with Ph.D.) $200 – $350
Psychologist (with Ph.D.) $150 – $300
Accountant $150 – $275
Audio, Video, or Photo Analyst $100 – $200
Psychiatrist (M.D.) $250 – $375
Ballistics/Firearms Expert $150 – $250
Chemist $100 – $250
DNA $150 – $250
Fingerprint Analyst $100 – $125
Forensic Computer/Cellphone Analyst $150 – $250
Gang Expert $100 – $200
Handwriting Analyst $100 – $125
Jury Consultant $150 – $225
Interpreter/Translator $25 – $75
Document Translation3 16.5 cents per word

1 The policy contemplates that paralegals appointed at the maximum hourly rate possess foreign language skills, discovery database management expertise, or subjective coding experience in at least two prior federal cases or complex civil litigation.

2 The policy contemplates that investigators authorized at the maximum hourly rate have foreign language skills, a high level of investigative expertise in the type of crime alleged, special skills the case requires, or experience conducting investigations in a significant number of federal cases.

3 Rate based on those prescribed by the United States Department of State, Office of Language Services, Translation Division.