Fletcher v. Justice Administrative Commission

Petitioner, W. Charles Fletcher, seeks review of an order awarding him $35,000 in attorney’s fees for representing an indigent criminal defendant in a capital case, instead of the $62,570 he requested. Petitioner argues that the trial court departed from the essential requirements of the law in two ways. First, he argues that the trial court erred in limiting his fees without making a finding as to the reasonable number of hours he worked in representing his client. Second, he argues that the trial court impermissibly considered the court’s budget when it limited his fee award. We agree that…