SADO/MAACS Youth Defense Project in the News

In 2021, the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), a division of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO), received a three-year federal grant to establish a Youth Defense Project in Michigan. The Project is headed by attorney Joshua Pease.

One of the Project's first priorities has been to develop new court rules to require that youth be told about their appellate rights when they are removed from their homes -- including the right to counsel. Although adults who receive criminal sentences must be told of their rights, there is currently no corresponding requirement that youth be given this same information. On January 30, 2023, the Youth Defense Project and its work on this issue was featured in the Detroit Free Press.

For more information about the Youth Defense Project, check out the 2021 grant announcement, and a 2022 progress update.