Special skills rate is for cases needing foreign language fluency or other specialization, such as mastery of one or more relevant areas of forensic science (e.g., forensic psychology or digital forensics) or high-level experience in the type of alleged offense.

If there is good cause, counsel may seek to retain the services of an investigator whose base of operations is outside the geographic area where the services will be rendered, but counsel must negotiate a lower rate for travel time and/or negotiate a cap for paid travel time.

Special skills rate is for providers with a master's degree, and for cases needing foreign language fluency or other specialized expertise. The rate will be reduced to the non-capital rate if the government opts against seeking the death penalty.

In a capital case, if a "no-seek" decision is rendered, the mitigation specialist’s rate is reduced to the non-capital rate.

Special skills rate is for providers with a master's degree, and for cases needing foreign language fluency or other specialized expertise. 

Special skills rate is for those with technology skills necessary to perform complex litigation support or discovery database management (including subjective coding), and for cases needing foreign language fluency or capital case expertise.

E.g., immigration expert. DSO has established a partnership with the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) through its Defender Initiative and is available to answer queries (at no cost) from CJA practitioners regarding non-citizen clients.

Some languages might receive a higher rate, based upon the availability of a qualified interpreter. Large volume translations, including PSRs, require consultation with the CBA.

Reimbursement for federal court proceedings must be submitted on CJA Form 24 and requested in district court, whether for use in district court or the Court of Appeals.