ABOUT SCPDIA
We are a group of dedicated criminal justice professionals who work on behalf of indigent defense cases within one of the sixteen judicial circuits of South Carolina. Our members are composed of circuit investigators, mitigation specialists/investigators, and private investigators approved by the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense to handle indigent defense cases.
The association provides professional training through conferences and seminars to ensure indigent clients receive the best possible defense. In addition, the association provides networking opportunities for its members to meet with other criminal defense investigators across the state.
Our mission is to increase the quality and quantity of investigations for public defense clients by:
- Identifying best practices for criminal defense investigations;
- Providing resources through training and support services to address critical issues, such as early investigation, strengthening of the investigator-attorney relationship, enhancement of investigative skills and ethics;
- Developing and enhancing professional relationships among public defense investigators;
- Fostering an “investigators are essential” approach to the representation of all clients across South Carolina.
SCPDIA OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
President: Jon Tisdale (Dorchester County Public Defender's Office)
Vice President: Michael Thomas (Orangeburg County Public Defender's Office)
Secretary/Treasurer: Vacant
Region 1 Director: Robert Beattie (Anderson County Public Defender's Office)
Region 2 Director: Lisa Williams (Lexington County Public Defender's Office)
Region 3 Director: Joe Medlin (York County Public Defender's Office)
Region 4 Director: Steven Schumpert (Clarendon County Public Defender's Office)
Region 5 Director: Christy Estrada (Beaufort County Public Defender's Office)
At-Large Director: Nancy Chears (Beaufort County Public Defender's Office)
At-Large Director: Brian Owens (Aiken County Public Defender's Office)
