Current Operations
Our mission: Fighting injustice through access, advocacy, compassion, and education.
The State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) fulfills the statutory requirements of the Appellate Defender Act (MCL 780.712) and the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution to represent indigent people appealing their criminal convictions.
SADO consists of four divisions: The public defender division, the Juvenile Lifer Unit (JLU), the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), and the Criminal Defense Resource Center (CDRC). The state-funded public defender represents at least 25% of individuals with pending appeals. The public defender division of SADO has a staff of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and one mitigation specialist. Nearly 75% of individuals appealing their convictions are represented by private attorneys, managed by MAACS. The JLU has a staff of attorneys, mitigation specialists, reentry specialists, and a paralegal. The CDRC provides training to the state’s appointed trial and appellate counsel, and resources to the public and all system stakeholders.
SADO's Project Reentry works with all SADO and MAACS clients to build reentry plans, prepare for parole, and guide people on their journey home from incarceration.
