Current Operations
The CDRC supports approximately 2,000 Michigan criminal defense attorneys, trial and appellate, with a wide range of web-based services, publications, phone consultation, and training events. The web-based services (www.sado.org) include 24/7 access to online databases (pleadings, expert testimony, and more), court opinion summaries, four practice manuals (the Defender Books), the monthly Criminal Defense Newsletter, and archives of messages exchanged in the Forum, the CDRC’s criminal defense listserv. A statewide helpline for attorneys provides research answers to questions of law and procedure (help@sado.org). A partnership with the Wayne County Crimninal Defense Attorneys Association provides daily research assistance to criminal defense attorneys practicing in Michigan’s busiest criminal court. New in 2008 is the CDRC Criminal Defense Wiki, an interactive database of information about state courts and criminal defense practice.
CDRC technology training events take place throughout Michigan each year, covering common issues and emerging techniques. And, the CDRC partners with other training providers to sponsor seminars of the Wayne County Criminal Advocacy Program (CAP), and conferences and the trial college of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM).
CDRC operations are funded through a combination of SADO budgetary support, user fees, and grants. In 2007, the CDRC administered approximately $300,000 from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards for training projects.