Top Stories

Project Reentry Publishes Newsletter for Returning Citizens

The Drum: Articles, Stories, and Resources for the JLWOP Community

The December 2019 issue of The Drum is now available. The Drum is a publication, produced by SADO’s Project Reentry, featuring articles by and for former juvenile lifers returning to the community. The Drum also identifies a wide variety of resources for returning citizens, including financial budgeting, employment opportunities, and community tips. This month’s issue features an article on the importance of addressing sexual violence holistically, employment resources, a farewell to our MSW interns (Taylor, Harley, Elizabeth, and Lisa), a welcome to new team members (Jose Burgos and Percy Glover), and more! Read More

Michigan Supreme Court: 2019 Year in Review

In 2019, the Michigan Supreme Court issued opinions and entered orders on issues including acquitted conduct in sentencing, expert fees, expert vouching, judicial impartiality, motions for relief from judgement, mutually exclusive verdicts, the scoring of offense variables, search & seizure, venue, and more. We offer summaries of the Court’s 2019 decisions. Read More

SADO Introduces 2019 Defender Appellate Manual

*New Resource Now Available*

The 2019 Defender Appellate Manual is now available from SADO’s Criminal Defense Resource Center. This new resource offers a comprehensive guide for attorneys practicing in Michigan’s Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. The Manual includes an overview of appellate review in felony cases, a detailed review of the appointment process, the calculation of jurisdictional deadlines, guidance on establishing and maintaining strong client relationships, directions on assembling (or developing) the record for appeal, an overview of appeals by leave and by right, sample pleadings, and much more, all aimed at helping appellate defenders to protect and preserve the rights of their clients and to properly present their client’s issues for appeal. Read More

What Happens to Your Social Security Disability Benefits After Coming Home from Prison?

MAACS Administrator Bradley R. Hall Publishes Article in September 2019 Michigan Bar Journal

Congratulations to MAACS Administrator Bradley R. Hall on his article in the September 2019 Michigan Bar Journal, “Thinking Outside the Four Corners: How Michigan’s unique criminal appellate process promotes justice through factual development on direct appeal.” In the article, Mr. Hall describes how Michigan’s jurisprudence uniquely allows procedures, such as Ginther hearings, for factual development on direct appeal. Read More