Appellate Public Defender – St Paul, MN

About the Office of the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender

The Office of the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender, based in Saint Paul, is a specialized statewide office responsible for handling appeals for indigent defendants. Unlike district public defenders who handle trials, the Appellate Office focuses exclusively on post-conviction proceedings and direct appeals to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. This office plays a vital role in ensuring that justice was correctly served in the lower courts. If a person has been convicted of a crime and cannot afford to find a lawyer for their appeal, this office provides the necessary legal expertise to challenge errors made during trial or sentencing.

Scope of Representation

The Appellate Public Defender handles a variety of complex legal matters, including:

• Direct Appeals: Reviewing trial transcripts and legal records to identify errors in law or procedure that may have affected the outcome of a case.
• Post-Conviction Relief: Filing petitions to present new evidence or argue constitutional violations that were not addressed during the initial trial.
• Sentence Reviews: Challenging illegal or excessive sentences imposed by the district courts.
• Supervised Release Revocations: Representing individuals facing the revocation of their parole or supervised release status.

Expertise in Appellate Advocacy

The attorneys at the Appellate Public Defender’s office are legal scholars and skilled writers who specialize in the nuances of appellate law. They are frequently involved in landmark cases that shape the interpretation of criminal law in Minnesota. Led by the Chief Appellate Public Defender, the team works collaboratively to draft persuasive briefs and present oral arguments before the state’s highest courts. While clients must qualify for services based on financial inability to hire an attorney, the quality of representation provided is often on par with or superior to private appellate practice due to the sheer volume and focus of the office’s work.

Office Location

The office is located in the Griggs Midway Building in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. This location, distinct from the downtown judicial center, allows the appellate team to focus on research and writing in a professional environment while remaining accessible to clients and family members.