Beginning with cases presented at Oct. 17 writ panels, the Supreme Court of Virginia will increase compensation for court-appointed counsel in appeals of criminal convictions and termination of parental rights.

For representation at the petition stage of the appeal, these fee ranges will apply:

• Misdemeanor appeals: $700 to no more than $1,500;
• Felony appeals: $1,000 to no more than $2,000; and
• Termination of parental rights appeals: $1,000 to no more than $2,000.

If the petition for appeal is granted, court-appointed counsel in docketed cases that proceed to an opinion or order will receive $3,250 and are not paid at the petition stage.

According to the court's Chart of Allowances, dated July 2023, the established hourly rate for court-appointed counsel was up to $90 per hour, in or out of court, unless otherwise specified.

Virginia-licensed attorneys interested in representing indigent appellants before the Supreme Court of Virginia should contact the clerk of court, Muriel-Theresa Pitney, at scvclerk@vacourts.gov.

Read the full news release from the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court action follows the Court of Appeals of Virginia, which raised fees for court-appointed counsel in criminal appeals on July 1 this year. The VBA reported the updated compensation in a news item June 15.