Ancillary Services
Requests for Funds for Investigators and Experts
Requests by counsel (or self-represented defendants) for ancillary services at public expense, including appointment of investigators, experts, or others shall be presented for consideration and order by the Assistant Presiding Judge. Requests for ancillary services shall include the following:
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Declaration/Request for Funds
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- Factual overview of the case to determine necessity
- Statement of viable defenses that pertain to any requested funds
- Detailed itemization of anticipated expenditures (hours, hourly rate(s), and any miscellaneous fees)
- Specify what the investigator/expert will do (general statements are insufficient)
- Amount of any prior funding authorized by the court and the purpose for which the funds were authorized with a detailed itemization of how the funds were used
- A statement that the attorney is retained, appointed by the court, or that the defendant is self-represented and/or indigent
The declaration/request must be specific as to the reasoning for the funds requested. The name of the person requested must be specified, along with their hourly rate(s), miscellaneous costs, number of hours needed, and their specific function to be served.
Justification must be provided for any travel expenses and/or presence during proceedings. Investigators are only to perform investigative services, and counsel shall direct and monitor their work to determine if their time and expenses are reasonably necessary.
Counsel must instruct the investigator/expert not to exceed any authorized amount. Supplemental funds must be requested in advance of the work being performed. Requests for retroactive fees may be denied.
Supplemental requests must cover not only what needs to be done but what has already been done.
A sample request can be found below. The sample request is not mandatory, but any request for funds must meet all requirements outlined above.
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A Copy of the attorney/client retainer agreement (if applicable)
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Curriculum vitae of the expert (if applicable)
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Proposed Order
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- Contain full name and professional designation and/or license number of investigator or expert
- Contain maximum cap amount of funds requested based on the factual overview, case type, and viable defenses
- Contain hourly rate(s) consistent with Responsibility for Payment of Appointed Attorneys document and rates/costs for any miscellaneous fees (mileage, etc.)
The proposed order must address/specify all hourly rates and expenses. The county cannot issue payment for any fees not specified in the order. Further, any requests for amounts above the maximum cap authorized by the court will be denied by the county.
A sample order can be found below. The sample order is not mandatory, but any order must meet all requirements outlined above.
SAMPLE - Ex Parte Declaration/Request For Ancillary Services; And Order
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Submitting Requests to the Court
Requests can be submitted online on the Online Case Filing page, by emailing slocrim@slo.courts.ca.gov, or by mail/in-person (1050 Monterey Street, Room 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408). Requests can be placed in the drop boxes located at each courthouse entrance (Monterey Street/Palm Street) outside counter hours.
Requests are confidential and remain separate from the case file. The clerk will return a certified copy of the order if granted.
Payment Requests
Claims for ancillary services are submitted directly to the County of San Luis Obispo for reimbursement.
A certified copy of the court order authorizing payment must accompany all claim requests.
Counsel can submit the completed payment request form and all corresponding documents by mail to 1055 Monterey Street, RM D430, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 or email to admin@co.slo.ca.us.
Please visit the San Luis Obispo County website on Guidelines for Public Defender Reimbursement for further details.