NAPD Public Resources

The assessment report evaluates the merger of the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) and the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), focusing on operational efficiency and representation quality for indigent defendants. While the merger has facilitated improved practices in public defense, challenges such as agency cohesion, resource allocation, and workload disparities remain. Key recommendations include establishing consistent workload limits, enhancing collaboration, and adopting best practices from successful systems to further improve representation quality.%0aThe assessment methodology involved interviews with stakeholders and a review of relevant materials. It highlights the distinct cultures of SADO and MAACS, the need for better resources and training for MAACS attorneys, and the importance of equal workload limits to ensure high-quality representation. The report concludes with a call for organizational restructuring and additional resources to meet the demands of public defense, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of legal representation for all clients.