MAACS seeks summer interns/externs

Applications are due by April 1, 2025

The Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), a division of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO), seeks first- and second-year law students for internship and externship opportunities during the summer of 2025.   Read more


Summer 2025 Fellowships available through the Black Public Defender Association

Applications are due by February 28, 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


Safe & Just Michigan

From the December 2024 | January 2025 Criminal Defense Newsletter

The final day of the 2023-24 legislative session was Thursday, December. 19. That day marked the end of a chaotic three-week Lame Duck session where Democratic leadership finally allowed major criminal justice priorities to move through committee.  Read more


Prosecutorial disclosure of mitigating information at sentencing

From the December 2024 | January 2025 Criminal Defense Newsletter

There is little case law on the prosecutor’s duty to disclose mitigating information at sentencing. No well-known Michigan case comes to mind and looking outside of Michigan there are few cases discussing disclosure of mitigating information at sentencing.  Read more


The impact of the MMMA and the MRTMA on probation conditions prohibiting marijuana use

From the December 2024 | January 2025 Criminal Defense Newsletter

MCL 772.3(1)(a) mandates that all orders of probation include the requirement that “[d]uring the term of his or her probation, the probationer shall not violate any criminal law of this state, the United States, or another state or any ordinance any municipality in this state or another state.” Read more


Ending life and long sentences: Using clemency often—A return to mercy and justice (Part 3 of 3)

Michigan’s criminal legal system faces a crisis born from decades of excessively punitive sentencing policies. As explored in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, life and excessively long sentences have resulted in an aging prison population, significant racial and gender disparities, and an overburdened Department of Corrections.  Read more


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