Michigan State Appellate Defender Office and Criminal Defense Resource Center

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Project Reentry Publishes Newsletter for Returning Citizens

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

The February 2020 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 a Black History Month tribute, resources of the month, spotlights on Gameliel Ware and Malachi Muhammad, career opportunities and more! Read More

SADO Hosts Informational Session for Friends and Family

Next session: March 19, 2020 at 5:30 pm in Lansing

Join SADO for an Informational Session on what to expect after a loved one is convicted of a crime and sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections. SADO staff will be on hand to address the process of appealing a conviction and how an appeal is different from the trial or plea proceedings, and will inform attendees on the visiting policies of the MDOC, how to communicate and stay connected with your incarcerated loved ones, 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

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

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This project was funded by the Byrne JAG grant #2010-DJ-BX-0003, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and administered by the Michigan state Police (MSP). Points of view or opinions contained within this document do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the MSP or DOJ.