The Appeals Bureau of the Queens County District Attorney's Office offers attorneys an opportunity to provide a valuable service to the people of Queens County and to the victims of serious crimes, while receiving in return a valuable and rewarding appellate experience. Under the Appeals Bureau's Pro Bono program, a participating attorney will be appointed a Special Assistant District Attorney and be assigned to work on a criminal appeal from a serious felony conviction. The volunteer attorney will be responsible for reviewing the trial transcript, researching the legal issues raised on appeal, writing the respondent's brief on behalf of the People, and arguing the appeal in the Appellate Division, Second Department. A senior Appeals Bureau assistant will provide the attorney with sample briefs and a style guide, answer any questions that the attorney may have while writing the brief, edit the brief, and prepare the attorney for oral argument by conducting a moot court before a panel of Appeals Bureau assistants. The program tries to the greatest extent possible to ensure that every participating attorney does, in fact, have an oral argument in the Appellate Division. Prior criminal or appellate experience is useful, but not necessary.