North Carolina Office of the Appellate Defender

The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) represents indigent adult and juvenile clients on appeal after a criminal conviction, juvenile delinquency disposition, and mental health commitment, and when the State appeals a trial court ruling. OAD strives to provide each client with professional, zealous, and cost-effective representation.

The Office of the Appellate Defender is the only office of its kind in North Carolina’s public defense system and all appeals are initially assigned to the Appellate Defender. If OAD cannot represent a client due to a conflict or because of case load limitations, the Appellate Defender assigns private counsel from the appellate roster.

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.