North Carolina Office of the Appellate Defender

The North Carolina Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) is located in Durham, NC. OAD has an Appellate Defender, a Deputy Appellate Defender, 18 Assistant Appellate Defenders and three Paralegals. Altogether, OAD represents indigent adult and juvenile clients on appeal after a criminal conviction, juvenile delinquency disposition, mental health commitment, and a trial court ruling when the State appeals. OAD strives to provide each client with professional, zealous, and cost-effective representation. In addition to direct representation of clients on appeal, OAD monitors and mentors appellate roster counsel, consults with and provides briefs and litigation guides to trial and appellate counsel, and trains public defenders and private assigned counsel at continuing legal education courses around the state throughout the year. If OAD cannot represent a client due to a conflict or because of caseload limitations, the Appellate Defender assigns private counsel from the appellate roster. If you require any further information, kindly contact the North Carolina Office of the Appellate Defender.