The United States Supreme Court has affirmed the ethical and legal obligation of defense counsel to conduct a complete mitigation investigation in capital death penalty cases.

Mitigating evidence in a capital trial can literally mean the difference between life and death for a defendant.

This critical evidence may include details about a defendant's life that puts into context his actions, and casts guilt, if any, in a different light.  A complete mitigation investigation must also be completed before the court can consider expert testimony.

Archangel Investigations specializes in mitigation investigation. Working with privately retained attorneys and public defenders, the hallmark of an Archangel mitigation investigation is the thoroughness of our investigations.

Included among the components of an Archangel mitigation investigation are:

complete background check (intergenerational)

biographical timeline (including locations)

drug and mental health history

medical records

academic records (vocational, included)

history of foster or adoptive care

employment history

court and police records

Mitigation investigation is a systematic, multiple-step process.  The first step is gathering information.  Step two is meeting with experts, interviewing family and significant others.  The third step is assembling and contextualizing the documents and information gleaned from interviews into an 'attorney-ready' report.

The objective is to construct a fuller, more three-dimensional portrait of the defendant's life. This fuller portrait is often in contrast to the prosecution's image, which is limited to the evidence associated with crime, an image which is often painted as unflatteringly as possible.

This manual serves as a “checklist” for a complete mitigation investigation.  Archangel offers mitigation investigation services nationwide. There is no charge for an initial consultation.