State Counsel for Offenders

Appellate Section

This section will assist indigent offenders who need legal services with appeals and writs. The following services are provided:

Appeals - In the event of a Trial conviction, an attorney experienced in appeals will represent offenders in preparing their appeal, to include identifying appellate issues, preparing legal briefs, and arguing before appellate courts.
Appellate Writs - Sometimes errors of a constitutional dimension are made in an offender's conviction. The attorney can research the case to see if there are valid, provable legal reasons to file a writ of habeas corpus to set aside or modify their conviction or sentence.
Time Writs - Time issues will sometimes need a writ filed when the issue cannot be resolved at the local court level. The attorney will research the case to see if there are valid, provable legal reasons to file a writ on these issues.

Legal Assistants handle the following areas:

Time Questions - They will investigate claims of jail time not being credited to an offender's sentence. Information and/or assistance can also be given in reference to flat time, good time, educational time, and work time credit. Additionally, information and/or assistance may be provided on SAIP programs (Boot Camp), SAFP-TF program, Prison Management Act (PMA), and State Jail Convictions.
Paroles & Mandatory Supervision - They can assist offenders with their parole and mandatory supervision eligibility questions.
Shock Probation & Time Cuts - They can provide forms and directions to offenders who want to apply for shock probation or a time-cut.