Criminal Defense Resource Center

The Criminal Defense Resource Center (CDRC) of the State Appellate Defender Office was formed in 1977 in response to a growing demand from the private bar for help with criminal cases. Recognizing the collective legal expertise of SADO attorneys who practice only criminal law, attorneys throughout Michigan quickly came to depend on the CDRC for support. In addition to the products and services described elsewhere, the CDRC provides telephone advice to approximately 3,000 callers per year. While not equipped to handle calls from the general public, the CDRC helps attorneys who call with everything from a question about a recent court decision to a request for help with development of a trial strategy. The targeted audience for this support service is assigned attorneys, many of whom practice criminal law only occasionally, in remote locations, and for low assignment fees.