Post Conviction Defenders Division, Office of the Public Defender (Maryland)

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender's Post Conviction Defenders Division, formerly the Collateral Review Division, represents indigent incarcerated people at post-conviction proceedings statewide. Its FAQ explains that people convicted in a Maryland state court who are serving a sentence or on parole or probation may seek relief under the Uniform Post Conviction Procedure Act, that each qualifying person is entitled to counsel and one hearing in the circuit court of conviction before a judge other than the original trial judge, and that a petition must be filed within 10 years of sentencing unless the sentence predates October 1, 1995. It notes that there is no automatic right to counsel or a hearing on a second petition and that post-conviction counsel is not available while a direct appeal is pending. People may apply by letter, phone or email, and the clerk forwards self-filed petitions to the office. Representation on coram nobis, writs of actual innocence and motions to reopen is discretionary. Contact: 217 E. Redwood Street Suite 1020, Baltimore; 410.209.8600.