Capital Postconviction Investigator
The CCRC-South office is responsible for investigating, filing and litigating state postconviction motions for indigent death row inmates in the Florida trial courts, carrying forward appeals to the Florida Supreme Court, and preparing, filing and litigating habeas corpus petitions in the federal courts.
Cases are assigned within the office in a team concept. Each case is assigned a unique team that includes a lead attorney with a background in capital litigation, a second chair attorney with more limited experience, and a member of the in-house investigative staff. Although the majority of the caseload originates from the south Florida area, conflict case appointments may arise from other areas in Florida. Death row for male clients is located in northern Florida, which requires frequent travel for direct client contact.
Investigators are responsible for conducting detailed investigations of both guilt/innocence and penalty/mitigation phases of the case. Investigations may involve substantial travel throughout the state and nationally, and in some cases, internationally. Duties include, but are not limited to: review of the trial and appellate records to gain comprehensive knowledge of each case and client; collecting, indexing, maintaining and reviewing public records regarding all aspects of the case; interviewing clients, their families, and associates, and working with expert witnesses to obtain a comprehensive social history; locating and interviewing witnesses, taking witness statements, developing evidentiary leads; producing written reports and memoranda; court testimony; service of process, witness coordination, and related duties, as may be required.
