Superior Court Issues Order Regarding Family Court Special Education Panel Attorneys

October 02, 2023

On September 29 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia issued a pair of orders concerning Family Court Special Education Panel attorneys who represent emerging adult defendants with a disability.

In Administrative Order 23-21, the court ordered that members of the existing Family Court Special Education Panel, eligible attorneys from the School Justice Project, and eligible attorneys from future organizations receiving Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants funds to provide such representation be available for appointment as Special Education Panel attorneys in criminal proceedings.

Under Administrative Order 23-22, Special Education Panel attorneys appointed under the Plan for Furnishing Representation in Neglect Proceedings in the District of Columbia (CCAN Plan) or the Plan for Furnishing Representation to Indigents under the District of Columbia Criminal Justice Act (CJA Plan) may be compensated pursuant to those plans. These attorneys must certify that they have not requested payment from or been paid by District of Columbia Public Schools.