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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>80860</law_id><section_number>19.2-163</section_number><catch_line>Compensation of court-appointed counsel</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-267</reference><reference>16.1-69.48</reference><reference>19.2-152.12</reference><reference>19.2-163.4</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="10">Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Appointment of Attorney for Accused</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Upon submission to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, for which appointed representation is provided, of a detailed accounting of the time expended for that representation, made within 30 days of the completion of all proceedings in that <span class="dictionary">court</span>, <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> appointed to represent an <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> <span class="dictionary">accused</span> in a criminal case shall be compensated for his services on an hourly basis at a rate set by the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia in a total amount not to exceed the amounts specified in this section, or other such amount as may be provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. Such amounts shall be allowed in any case wherein <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> conducts the defense of a single charge against the <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> <span class="dictionary">accused</span> through to its conclusion or a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> at any <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> conducted under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Revocation of suspension of sentence and probation" href="/19.2-306/">19.2-306</a>; thereafter, compensation for additional charges against the same <span class="dictionary">accused</span> also conducted by the same <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall be allowed on the basis of additional time expended as to such additional charges:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> In a district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, except as provided in subdivisions 2 and 3, (i) a sum not to exceed $330 or (ii) for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for any <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, a sum not to exceed $180, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in its discretion and subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees provided under clause (i) or (ii) up to an additional $120 when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the <span class="dictionary">issues</span>, or other circumstances warrant such a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span>; <a id="paragraph-289847" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-163/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> For a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> charge in a district <span class="dictionary">court</span> for a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>, <a class="law" title="Persons under age 21 driving after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty" href="/18.2-266.1/">18.2-266.1</a>, <a class="law" title="Penalty for driving while intoxicated; subsequent offense; prior conviction" href="/18.2-270/">18.2-270</a>, or <a class="law" title="Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc" href="/46.2-341.24/">46.2-341.24</a>, (i) a sum not to exceed $448 or (ii) for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for such a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, a sum not to exceed $180, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in its discretion and subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees provided under clause (i) or (ii) up to an additional $120 when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the <span class="dictionary">issues</span>, or other circumstances warrant such a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span>; <a id="paragraph-289848" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-163/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> For a juvenile charge in a district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, (i) a sum not to exceed $680 or (ii) for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for any <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, a sum not to exceed $180, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in its discretion and subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees provided under clause (i) or (ii) up to (a) an additional $120 or (b) an additional $650 for an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> that would be a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> if committed by an adult that may be punishable by confinement in the state correctional facility for a period of more than 20 years or a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the <span class="dictionary">issues</span>, or other circumstances warrant such a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span>; <a id="paragraph-289849" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-163/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> In a <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> (i) to defend a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">felony</span> charge, compensation for each appointed attorney in an amount deemed reasonable by the <span class="dictionary">court</span>; (ii) to defend a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> charge that may be punishable by confinement in the state correctional facility for a period of more than 20 years or any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="How voluntary manslaughter punished" href="/18.2-35/">18.2-35</a>, <a class="law" title="How involuntary manslaughter punished" href="/18.2-36/">18.2-36</a>, <a class="law" title="Certain conduct punishable as involuntary manslaughter" href="/18.2-36.1/">18.2-36.1</a>, <a class="law" title="Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc., by mob" href="/18.2-41/">18.2-41</a>, <a class="law" title="Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc" href="/18.2-51/">18.2-51</a>, <a class="law" title="Aggravated sexual battery; penalty" href="/18.2-67.3/">18.2-67.3</a>, <a class="law" title="Burning or destroying meeting house, etc" href="/18.2-79/">18.2-79</a>, <a class="law" title="Burning or destroying any other building or structure" href="/18.2-80/">18.2-80</a>, <a class="law" title="Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties" href="/18.2-370/">18.2-370</a>, <a class="law" title="Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties" href="/18.2-370.1/">18.2-370.1</a>, or <a class="law" title="Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant" href="/18.2-371.1/">18.2-371.1</a>, a sum not to exceed $1,692, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in its discretion and subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees up to an additional $850 when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the <span class="dictionary">issues</span>, or other circumstances warrant such a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span>; (iii) to defend any other <span class="dictionary">felony</span> charge, except those described in clause (i) or (ii), a sum not to exceed $834, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in its discretion and subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees up to an additional $155 when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the <span class="dictionary">issues</span>, or other circumstances warrant such a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span>; (iv) for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, except Class 1 felonies, a sum not to exceed $445, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in its discretion and subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees up to (a) an additional $850 for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> described in clause (ii) or (b) an additional $155 for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> of any other <span class="dictionary">felony</span> when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the <span class="dictionary">issues</span>, or other circumstances warrant such a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span>; (v) to defend a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>, <a class="law" title="Persons under age 21 driving after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty" href="/18.2-266.1/">18.2-266.1</a>, <a class="law" title="Penalty for driving while intoxicated; subsequent offense; prior conviction" href="/18.2-270/">18.2-270</a>, or <a class="law" title="Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc" href="/46.2-341.24/">46.2-341.24</a>, a sum not to exceed $448 and to defend any other <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> charge punishable by confinement in jail, a sum not to exceed $330; (vi) for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for any <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, a sum not to exceed $180; (vii) for a juvenile adjudication appealed from a district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, a sum not to exceed $680; or (viii) for a charge of violation of <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for any juvenile adjudication appealed from a district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, a sum not to exceed $180. In the event any case is required to be retried due to a <span class="dictionary">mistrial</span> for any cause or reversed on <span class="dictionary">appeal</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may allow an additional fee for each case in an amount not to exceed the amounts allowable in the initial <span class="dictionary">trial</span>. In the event <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> is appointed to defend an <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> charged with a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> that is punishable as a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, each attorney appointed shall continue to receive compensation as provided in this paragraph for defending such a <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, regardless of whether the charge is reduced or amended to a lesser <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, prior to final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> of the case. In the event <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> is appointed to defend an <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> charged with any other <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, such <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall receive compensation as provided in this paragraph for defending such a <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, regardless of whether the charge is reduced or amended to a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> or lesser <span class="dictionary">felony</span> prior to final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> of the case in either the district <span class="dictionary">court</span> or <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>.
			<span class="dictionary">Counsel</span> appointed to represent an <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> <span class="dictionary">accused</span> in a criminal case, who are not <span class="dictionary">public defenders</span>, may request an additional <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> exceeding the amounts provided for in this section. The request for any additional amount shall be submitted to the presiding judge, in writing, with a detailed accounting of the time spent and the justification for the additional amount. The presiding judge shall determine, subject to guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia, whether the request for an additional amount is justified in whole or in part, by considering the effort expended and the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, and, if so, shall forward the request as approved to the <span class="dictionary">chief judge</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> or district <span class="dictionary">court</span> for approval. If the presiding judge determines that the request for an additional amount is not justified in whole or in part, such presiding judge shall provide to the requesting attorney, in writing, the reasons for such determination and shall, if such request has been approved in part, include a copy of such writing when forwarding the request as approved to the <span class="dictionary">chief judge</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> or district <span class="dictionary">court</span> for approval. If the <span class="dictionary">chief judge</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> or district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, upon review of the request as approved, determines, subject to the guidelines issued by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia, that any part of the request for an additional amount is not justified, such <span class="dictionary">chief judge</span> shall provide to the requesting attorney and to the presiding judge, in writing, the reason for such determination.
			If at any time the funds appropriated to pay for <span class="dictionary">waivers</span> under this section become insufficient, the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia shall so certify to the <span class="dictionary">courts</span> and no further <span class="dictionary">waivers</span> shall be approved.
			The <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> or district <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall direct the payment of such reasonable expenses incurred by such <span class="dictionary">court</span>-appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> as it deems appropriate under the circumstances of the case. <span class="dictionary">Counsel</span> appointed by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> to represent an <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> charged with repeated violations of the same section of the Code of Virginia, with each of such violations arising out of the same incident, occurrence, or transaction, shall be compensated in an amount not to exceed the fee prescribed for the defense of a single charge, if such <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> are tried as part of the same judicial proceeding. The <span class="dictionary">trial</span> judge shall consider any guidelines established by the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> but shall have the sole discretion to fix the amount of compensation to be paid <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> appointed by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> to defend a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> charge that is punishable as a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">felony</span>.
			The <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> or district <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall direct that the foregoing payments shall be paid out by the Commonwealth, if the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> is charged with a violation of a <span class="dictionary">statute</span>, or by the county, city, or town, if the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> is charged with a violation of a county, city, or town <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, to the attorney so appointed to defend such person as compensation for such defense.
			<span class="dictionary">Counsel</span> representing a <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> charged with a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">felony</span> may submit to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, on a monthly basis, a statement of all costs incurred and fees charged by him in the case during that month. Whenever the total charges as are deemed reasonable by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> for which payment has not previously been made or requested exceed $1,000, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may direct that payment be made as otherwise provided in this section.
			When such directive is entered upon the <span class="dictionary">order</span> book of the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, the Commonwealth, county, city, or town, as the case may be, shall provide for the payment out of its treasury of the sum of money so specified. If the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> is convicted, the amount allowed by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> to the attorney appointed to defend him shall be taxed against the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> as a part of the costs of <span class="dictionary">prosecution</span> and, if collected, the same shall be paid to the Commonwealth, or the county, city, or town, as the case may be. In the event that <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> for the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> requests a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> of the limitations on compensation, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall assess against the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> an amount equal to the pre-<span class="dictionary">waiver</span> compensation limit specified in this section for each charge for which the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> was convicted. An abstract of such costs shall be docketed in the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> <span class="dictionary">docket</span> and execution <span class="dictionary">lien</span> book maintained by such <span class="dictionary">court</span>. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, no person found <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel" href="/19.2-159/">19.2-159</a> who is represented by either a <span class="dictionary">public defender</span> or <span class="dictionary">court</span>-appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall have fees assessed against him for his legal representation pursuant to this chapter in an amount greater than the amount such <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> would have owed if the assessment took place on or before June 30, 2024.
			Any statement submitted by an attorney for payments due him for <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> representation or for representation of a child pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem" href="/16.1-266/">16.1-266</a> shall, after the submission of the statement, be forwarded forthwith by the clerk to the Commonwealth, county, city, or town, as the case may be, responsible for payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> has determined such child&#x2019;s parents or other persons responsible for his care to be <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel" href="/19.2-159/">19.2-159</a> and such child was represented by either a <span class="dictionary">public defender</span> or <span class="dictionary">court</span>-appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>, no fee shall be taxed by the clerk against any such child in an amount greater than the amount the clerk would have taxed against such child if the assessment took place on or before June 30, 2024.
			For the purposes of this section, the defense of a case may be considered conducted through to its conclusion and an appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> entitled to compensation for his services in the event an <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> <span class="dictionary">accused</span> fails to appear in <span class="dictionary">court</span> subject to a <span class="dictionary">capias</span> for his <span class="dictionary">arrest</span> or a show cause <span class="dictionary">summons</span> for his failure to appear and remains a fugitive from justice for one year following the issuance of the <span class="dictionary">capias</span> or the <span class="dictionary">summons</span> to show cause, and appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> has appeared at a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on behalf of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>.
			Effective July 1, 2007, the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia shall track and report the number and category of <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> charged involving adult and juvenile offenders in cases in which <span class="dictionary">court</span>-appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> is assigned. The Executive Secretary shall also track and report the amounts paid by <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> above the initial cap to <span class="dictionary">court</span>-appointed <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>. The Executive Secretary shall provide these reports to the Governor, members of the House Committee on Appropriations, and members of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations on a quarterly basis. <a id="paragraph-289850" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-163/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 14.1-184, 14.1-184.1, 19.1-241.5, 19.1-241.11; 1964, cc. 386, 651, 657; 1968, c. 481; 1973, c. 316; 1975, c. 495; 1976, c. 553; 1980, c. 626; 1981, cc. 472, 486; 1985, c. 525; 1986, c. 425; 1987, c. 638; 1988, cc. 465, 472; 1989, c. 565; 1994, c. 451; 1995, cc. 571, 713; 1997, c. 492; 1998, cc. 440, 451; 2000, cc. 436, 448; 2001, c. 509; 2006, c. 332; 2007, cc. 938, 946; 2008, c. 760; 2009, c. 284; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 344, 345; 2023, cc. 228, 332; 2024, cc. 714, 770; 2025, cc. 73, 89.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
