For Immediate Release

Media Advisory:
  Maryland Court of Special Appeals Considers Adnan Syed v. State Appeal

(ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Jan. 13, 2015) As part of the post-conviction process, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals is considering an application for leave to appeal in Adnan Syed v. State of Maryland, No. 2519, September Term, 2013. The Court of Special Appeals has ordered the State of Maryland to respond to the application, and that response is due January 14. A decision on the application for leave to appeal will be made after the court reviews Syed’s application and the state’s response.

Documents, including the application for leave to appeal, are posted on the Maryland Judiciary website. The state’s response to the application and the decision of the Court of Special Appeals will be posted as soon as they are available.

An application for leave to appeal asks an appellate court to review a criminal case when no right to a direct appeal exists. There are limited circumstances under which a leave to appeal can be sought. Adnan Syed has filed an application for leave to appeal the Baltimore City Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief.

Maryland’s appellate courts (the Court of Special Appeals and the Court of Appeals) review a trial court's actions and decisions and decide whether the trial judge properly followed the law and legal precedent. The Maryland Court of Special Appeals regularly reviews applications for leave to appeal under Maryland Rule 8-204. No oral arguments are heard in deciding an application for leave to appeal, although the court may hold oral arguments if the application is granted.

All media inquiries regarding Adnan Syed v. State of Maryland, No. 2519, September Term, 2013, should be made to the Maryland Judiciary Office of Communications and Public Affairs:
Phone: 410-260-1488
Email: Angelita Plemmer Williams or Terri Charles

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How to find Maryland Rule 8-204:
1. Go to the Westlaw Maryland Code and Court Rules page -- direct address: https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Index?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)
2. Click on “Maryland Rules”
3. Click on “Title 8. Appellate Review in the Court of Appeals and Court of Special Appeals”
4. Click on “Chapter 200. Obtaining Review in Court of Special Appeals”
5. Click on “Rule 8-204. Application for Leave to Appeal to Court of Special Appeals”

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