Overview
Case summary
Charles C. Waters, a former US District Attorney, sued the United States to recover disallowed docket fees and mileage. The dispute centered on whether he could collect multiple $10 docket fees for defendants jointly indicted who entered pleas of guilty. The Court of Claims held that while the district attorney is entitled to a $10 fee for pleas of guilty and a $20 fee for jury trials, he cannot multiply the $10 fee for multiple defendants pleading guilty on the same day, as that would defeat the statutory purpose of joining indictments for economy.
Abstract
A former district attorney sued the United States to recover disallowed docket fees and mileage for defendants jointly indicted who entered guilty pleas. The court held that while a $10 fee is allowed for guilty pleas and $20 for jury trials, the $10 fee cannot be multiplied for multiple defendants pleading guilty on the same day, as it defeats the purpose of joining indictments for economy. Judgment was entered in claimant's favor for a reduced amount, including one $10 docket fee, with other fees disallowed.
Procedural posture
Legal categories
Case record
Issues & holdings
de novo
The court held that only one $10 fee is allowed for multiple defendants pleading guilty on the same day, but a separate $10 fee is allowed if the plea occurs on a different day than a jury trial for a co-defendant.
Issue preserved for review
Holdings of the court
Timeline
No timeline recorded.
Facts & evidence
Key facts
5 facts- Claimant served as US District Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
- Claimant sought recovery of docket fees for cases where multiple defendants were joined in one indictment.
- In Item 1, one defendant pleaded guilty and another was tried by jury; claimant sought a $10 fee for the plea and a $20 fee for the trial.
- In Item 2, three defendants pleaded guilty on the same day and one was tried by jury; claimant sought $10 for each of the three pleas plus $20 for the trial.
- Items 3, 4, and 5 involved mileage claims for travel to attend examinations and court.
Authorities
Cited authorities (3)
Legal principles applied
- Statutes should be construed to support rather than defeat one another