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: Michael Thomas (Orangeburg County Public Defender's Office)
Vice President: Joe Medlin (York County Public Defender's Office)
Secretary/Treasurer: Christy Estrada (Beaufort County Public Defender's Office
Board member : Robert Beattie (Anderson County Public Defender's Office)
Board member: Jeff McCall (Greenville County Public Defender's Office)
Board member: Amanda Donald (Pickens County Public Defender's Office)
Board member: Steven Schumpert (Clarendon County Public Defender's Office)
Board member: Nancy Chears (Beaufort County Public Defender's Office)
Board member: Morris Goodman (Florence County Public Defender's Office)
Board member: Jon Tisdale (Dorchester County Public Defender's Office)
