Under the Criminal Defense Project, Dane County Circuit Court judges appoint counsel on a flat-rate basis for indigent criminal defendants who are not eligible for Public Defender appointment. The current Memorandum of Understanding between the court and selected lawyers expires December 31, 2023. The current basic rate of pay is $750 for Misdemeanor and Criminal Traffic cases, $1000 for Class C Felony cases and below, $1500 for Class B Felony cases, and $2500 for Class A Felony cases. Additional compensation at the rate of $100/hour is awarded for cases that go to trial. Case assignments will be made on a rotating basis.
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