SADO is growing! Apply now!

Multiple positions open

SADO is the oldest and only state-wide public defender office in Michigan. Our team of attorneys, mitigation and reentry specialists, investigators, paralegals, IT, programmers, administrators, and core staff, work together to fulfill our mission of fighting injustice in the criminal and youth legal system through access, advocacy, compassion, and education.  Read more


Summer 2025 Fellowships available through the Black Public Defender Association

Apply by January 31, 2025

SADO is looking for interested 2L and 3L students to participate in the Black Public Defender Association's Summer 2025 Law School Fellowship Program.  Read more


Keeley Blanchard is the new MAACS Administrator

The State Appellate Defender Office is pleased to announce that Keeley Blanchard has been hired as the Administrator of the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS).  Read more


SADO seeks summer interns

Applications are due by 1/10/25 at 5 PM

SADO is seeking first- and second-year law students committed to public service, racial equity, and social justice to join its Summer Internship Program.  Read more


Reconciling the irreconcilable: Recent state and federal court opinions involving 2021 SORA

From the November 2024 Criminal Defense Newsletter

In September 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan concluded that the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), as amended in 2020 and effective in 2021 (2021 SORA), constitutes criminal punishment.  Read more


Improving the agent’s description of the offense in the Presentence Report (especially when it comes to acquitted conduct)

From the November 2024 Criminal Defense Newsletter

Why do we allow the presentence report to be written based on the police reports, with damaging information that is not always accurate and a description of conduct for which the jury acquitted?  Read more


View Past Articles

Media Releases