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MAACS Seeks Litigation Support Counsel

Apply by October 31, 2019

The Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), a division of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO), is hiring an experienced criminal appellate attorney to serve as Litigation Support Counsel for the roster of approximately 150 private attorneys who accept 2,300 court-appointed felony appeals in Michigan every year. The Litigation Support Counsel will help train, support, and supervise new and established MAACS roster attorneys and handle other administrative responsibilities as appropriate. The successful candidate may also carry a limited caseload, subject to other job responsibilities. 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

Project Reentry Publishes Newsletter for Returning Citizens

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

The September 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 by T. King-Bey on his prison experience, a citizen spotlight on Lorenzo Harrel (came home February 2019), "read, watch, and listen" suggestions, a call for submissions, and much more! Read More

SADO Hosts Informational Session for Friends and Family

Next session: October 18, 2019 at 5:00 pm in Detroit

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

SADO Introduces 2019 Defender Guide to Search & Seizure in Michigan

Comprehensive Resource Now Available

The 2019 Defender Guide to Search & Seizure in Michigan is the latest addition to SADO’s collection of defender resources. The Guide offers a comprehensive resource for Michigan state court practice in the area of search and seizure law. The Guide contains case annotations, practice pointers, critical questions for inquiry, and analysis of emerging issues such as the “property rights” theory of governmental intrusion, all aimed at helping defenders to spot issues, file motions, preserve errors, and obtain outcomes. Read More

SADO's Juvenile Lifer Unit Secures Term of Years Sentences for Clients formerly Sentenced to Life Without Parole

Michigan's Juvenile Lifers--individuals sentenced to mandatory life without parole for offenses they committed as children age 17 years old or under--are entitled to resentencing following Montgomery v Louisiana, __ US __; (Docket No. 14-280, issued 1/25/16), and pursuant to the procedures set forth in MCL 769.25a. In July 2016, prosecutor offices around the state filed motions seeking the re-imposition of life without parole sentences for approximately 229 of Michigan's approximately 363 juvenile lifers. Resentencing hearings will take place over an expanded period of time. In these cases, the prosecution will continue to seek the re-imposition of a life sentence while defense counsel will seek the imposition of a term of years sentence, the minimum of which can be between 25 to 40 years and the maximum of which is 60 years, pursuant to MCL 769.25a. Read More