What are the responsibilities and job description for the PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR - 77296 position at Public Defenders Conference?
Executive Service
PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
Tennessee Public Defenders Conference
Legal
Fayetteville, TN
Closing Date: 05/21/2026
Who we are and what we do:
The Criminal Investigator will work at the pleasure of the District Public Defender and will be under his/her direct supervision. The Investigator will work with the assistant public defenders to conduct fact-finding investigations for their indigent clients charged with criminal offenses.
Job Overview:
The Investigator will collaborate with staff attorneys, support staff, and external agencies/people to gather, analyze and document all information needed to develop effective defense strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
Work closely with staff attorneys to determine the scope, timing, and direction of defense investigations
Work to establish a relationship of trust and confidence with clients
Conduct an initial detailed interview with clients
Conduct follow up interviews with clients as needed
Review and analyze the discovery packet received from the District Attorneys Office
Identify, locate, and take detailed statements of state and defense witnesses
Examine, document and photograph crime scenes
Perform background checks of witnesses
Locate and collect any records not provided in the discovery packet
Diligently and thoroughly document all work and information gathered
Provide all information gathered to and consult with the staff attorneys on the investigation progress and results
Provide all information gathered to support staff for the physical case file and the digital PD data system
Serve subpoenas when needed
Testify in court about work conducted in the course of the investigation
Minimum Qualifications:
The applicant must have a valid drivers license and dependable transportation.
The applicant must have an associates degree from an accredited college.
Prior criminal Investigator experience is strongly preferred but not required.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.