Training and Resources

Yearly subscriptions run from October 1 to September 30.

• An annual subscription to Westlaw, allowing unrestricted access to all state and federal case law and secondary legal sources and more; and an annual membership to the National Association for Public Defense, allowing access to hundreds of free trainings, webinars, and additional resources.
  
  
• All of the resources listed below, for the Appointed Appellate Counsel Subscription.
  

• Comprehensive books and manuals that summarize and analyze the law relevant to criminal cases in Michigan. Our current publications address motions, pleas, pretrial proceedings and trials, evidence, search and seizure, sentencing, youth life sentencing, interlocutory appeals, direct appeals, habeas corpus, commutation, the department of corrections, and reentry.
  
  
• The Criminal Defense Newsletter, a monthly publication that covers developing issues, legislative changes, recent opinion summaries, pleadings of interest, local successes, and a training calendar.
  
  
• Access to an expert witness database, a police misconduct database, a brief bank, and thousands of opinion summaries.
  
  
• Access to the Forum, an online discussion group composed of over 1,800 criminal defense attorneys, and the ability to review and search past messages.
  
  
• A collection of model pleadings, filed in the Michigan state and federal courts.
  
  
• Access to a video library with past trainings covering a wide array of topics relevant to criminal defense teams.
  
  
• A wide array of self-help and informational resources for incarcerated individuals and returning citizens, as well as their family and friends.
  

If you're interested in purchasing publications or subscribing to services from the CDRC, please visit our Products Page or contact Angela Clayton at aclayton@sado.org or call 313-256-9833.

MAACS Litigation Support Counsel, Stephanie Farkas, is supervising the interns this summer. MAACS interns will be available to review transcripts, research legal issues, organize discovery, attend client interviews, and assist with other aspects of MAACS representation.

To request intern assistance, complete the fillable request form and email it to Stephanie Farkas at sfarkas@sado.org. Stephanie will review the forms and assign the request to one of the interns. The intern assigned will then directly contact you.

All roster attorneys must complete at least 12 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) training per calendar year. See 9.20.17 MAACS Regulations Section 2(D)(2). CLE hours in addition to the 12 required annual hours cannot be carried over into the next year. You can access the MAACS CLE form here.

In addition to its regular, annual fall trainings, Virtual Case Rounds are offered every other week to MAACS attorneys. Case Rounds allow attorneys to meet virtually with their colleagues to discuss case issues, brainstorm, strategize, and offer advice from the comfort of their homes or offices. Each session begins with a brief discussion on a specified topic.

Participation is limited to MAACS roster attorneys, and size may be limited. Registration information is provided via email. All that is needed to participate is a computer or mobile device with a camera and a microphone. Sessions typically last about an hour, and MAACS CLE credit is available. If you would like to participate or have questions, please contact Stephanie Farkas at sfarkas@sado.org.

MAACS attorneys who seek funding for expert/investigative assistance should contact the corresponding contact from this list. For additional help, contact your MIDC Regional Manager.

MAACS and CDRC are committed to providing high quality training opportunities to members of the roster. Trainings for MAACS roster attorneys take place throughout the year via webinars and live in person. All trainings are recorded and available in SADO's video library, you must be a subscriber to view. If you need login credentials, please contact CDRC at CDRC@sado.org.

Motions to Remand 101 (2010)
Litigating Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims Day 1 and Day 2 (2017)
How to Get a Ginther Hearing (2017)

Word Processing Resources
Paginating an Appellate Brief in Microsoft Word (for PC)
Paginating an Appellate Brief in Microsoft Word (for Mac)
Creating and Index of Authorities Using Westlaw's Drafting Assistant
Creating Tab/Dot Leaders for a Microsoft Word Document

SADO and MAACS host an annual Appellate Writing Workshop designed for appointed criminal appellate practitioners. Participants have rated the conference extremely well, remarking:

"The seminar was life-altering for me. I learned new ways to analyze my cases, to write briefs, and to prepare for oral arguments, as well as new methods to develop and maintain good client relationships."

"Every one of the instructors was kind, knowledgeable, and seemed eager to help us become better appellate attorneys. Their energy made it enjoyable to be there, even on a Saturday morning."

"I had an amazing time."

"It was well worth my time to attend and I look forward to future conferences."

"I can't say enough positive things about my experience in this workshop. I actually sent a text message to a friend on the MAACS list telling her to make sure she signs up next time the workshop is offered before leaving the parking lot Saturday after the training!"