Internships and Volunteer Opportunities

The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel welcomes law student interns, paralegal student interns and volunteers.  The OADC contracts with Attorneys, Investigators, Paralegals, and Social Workers across the state to represent defendants in every stage of a criminal proceeding, including trial, appeal, and post-conviction stages.  Interns and volunteers will have an opportunity to do meaningful work related to indigent criminal defense.  Placements may be within the agency or external, with our contract attorneys, depending on the intern's level of experience and interests.

If you are interested in an internship or volunteer opportunity, please email a cover letter and resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Your cover letter should clearly state the type of position you seek, your areas of interest, the number of hours you need (if an internship) and any specific deadlines you are required to meet.  Submission of your resume does not guarantee that you will be given a position with the OADC.

The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation (incl. transgender status), or against persons with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.

OADC Guidelines on Indigent Defense

Please use this link to access our Guidelines on Indigent Defense.

GUIDELINES ON INDIGENT DEFENSE

OADC Open Records Procedures and Request Form

To access the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel's Open Records Procedures, please click this link: OADC Open Records Procedures and Request Form

The Public Access to Information and Records Rules may be viewed here.

Complaints and Compliments

Please send all comments to the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel by mail or email.  

All formal complaints or compliments must be in writing and include the following information:

• Name, address and telephone number of person submitting the complaint or compliment
• Type of case and case number
• The Court, Judicial District, and name of the Judge or Magistrate handling the case
• Name of Alternate Defense Counsel attorney who is the subject of the complaint or compliment
• Reason for writing to the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel
• Signature of person submitting the complaint or compliment

 Return by US Mail to:

     Office of Alternate Defense Counsel
     1300 Broadway St., Ste. 330
     Denver, CO 80203

Or send via email by clicking here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Filing a pro se 35(c)

In order to get counsel for a 35(c), you must first complete Form 4 (requesting counsel be appointed) and JDF208 and file these with the Court in which your case was filed. The Office of Alternate Defense Counsel cannot appoint an attorney to assist with filing the 35(c) motion. You must follow the procedure currently outlined in Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 35. This rule is strictly enforced.

To access the required forms and procedures, please see this article or visit the Forms and Procedures section of our website.

New Attorney Application

For Attorneys wishing to be added to the OADC list, please follow the following procedure:

1.  Click on the Application Link here:  New Attorney Application Form

2.  Set up a new username and password for this form.  (This will only be your username and password for this form.)

Before you begin this application make sure you have the following items in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size:

☐ Current CV or Resume

• If interested in adult misdemeanor and felony, a substantive motion or brief related to criminal defense
• If interested in juvenile, a substantive motion or brief related to juvenile defense
• If interested in appellate, a substantive brief related to appellate defense
• If interested in post-conviction, a substantive motion related to post-conviction defense
• If interested in COCCA & Complex Litigation, a substantive motion or brief related to COCCA & Complex Litigation defense

While there are many lawyers who are interested in accepting appointments from the OADC, there are, unfortunately, a limited number of openings available, especially in the Denver Metro area. If you have not heard from our office within a three month period, you are invited to contact the OADC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..