Investigation & Mitigation Program
Develop real-world defense investigation skills under experienced professionals.
The Capital Habeas Unit represents indigent persons in federal habeas proceedings after they have been convicted and sentenced to death. All cases are handled by collaborative in-house teams of Assistant Federal Public Defenders, staff attorneys, investigators, and paralegals.
Our interns work closely with staff investigators, attorneys, and paralegals to develop skills in locating and interviewing witnesses, identifying and retrieving evidence, reviewing documents, researching and writing mitigation reports, and developing case theories. The internship involves both record-based projects and field investigation.
Skills You'll Develop
- Locating and interviewing witnesses
- Identifying and retrieving evidence
- Reviewing documents for relevant information
- Researching and writing mitigation reports
- Developing case theories for relief
- Field investigation techniques
- Trauma-informed interviewing approaches
Who Should Apply
Students from a wide range of educational levels (undergraduate, graduate, and law students) and fields of study — journalism, social sciences, forensic science, and other diverse backgrounds — are well-suited and encouraged to apply.
Contact us at (717) 782-2237 or email pam@fd.org to learn more about the application process.