SADO is hiring a Managing Attorney

Applications are due by August 1, 2025

SADO is hiring a Managing Attorney for its Direct Appeals Unit. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director and working with other managing attorneys, the managing attorney will manage all aspects of the direct appeals unit of SADO. Read more


Jessica Zimbelman Becomes SADO Deputy Director

The State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) is pleased to announce the promotion of Managing Attorney Jessica Zimbelman to the position of Deputy Director. Jessica has worked at SADO since 2012 in a variety of roles.  Read more


Registration is open for the 2025 Appellate Writing Workshop

September 3-5, 2025, in Detroit

MAACS Roster Attorneys and SADO Assistant Defenders are invited to register for the Appellate Writing Workshop (AWW), an in-person, 3-day writing workshop specifically designed for criminal appellate attorneys.  Read more


Ask an appellate attorney: After the Court of Appeals orders resentencing, when can the trial court resentence my client?

From the June 2025 Criminal Defense Newsletter

Introducing our newest column in the Criminal Defense Newsletter, "Ask an Appellate Attorney," where we reprint our answers to common or interesting questions we receive from defense attorneys that might be helpful to a wider audience. Read more


Good conduct credits and chemical castration

From the June 2025 Criminal Defense Newsletter

Britain is in the process of adopting a new program of good conduct credits as a means to ease prison overcrowding. Prisoners in England and Wales, excluding those serving for the most serious offenses, will be eligible for release after serving one-third of their sentences. Read more


Safe & Just Michigan

From the June 2025 Criminal Defense Newsletter

Last month, we let you know about a bill introduced to the Michigan Senate that would eliminate the $5 co-pay levied on incarcerated people for nonemergency medical services. Read more


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