GUIDELINE 5.1 – QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DEFENSE TEAM
A. Capital defense team members should demonstrate a commitment to providing high quality services in the defense of capital cases; should satisfy the training requirements set forth in these Supplementary Guidelines; and should be skilled in the investigation, preparation and presentation of evidence within their areas of expertise.
B. The defense team must include individuals possessing the training and ability to obtain, understand and analyze all documentary and anecdotal information relevant to the client’s life history. Life history includes, but is not limited to: medical history; complete prenatal, pediatric and adult health information; exposure to harmful substances in utero and in the environment; substance abuse history; mental health history; history of maltreatment and neglect; trauma history; educational history; employment and training history; military experience; multi-generational family history, genetic disorders and vulnerabilities, as well as multi-generational patterns of behavior; prior adult and juvenile correctional experience; religious, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, racial, cultural and community influences; socio-economic, historical, and political factors.
C. Mitigation specialists must be able to identify, locate and interview relevant persons in a culturally competent manner that produces confidential, relevant and reliable information. They must be skilled interviewers who can recognize and elicit information about mental health signs and symptoms, both prodromal and acute, that may manifest over the client's lifetime. They must be able to establish rapport with witnesses, the client, the client's family and significant others that will be sufficient to overcome barriers those individuals may have against the disclosure of sensitive information and to assist the client with the emotional impact of such disclosures. They must have the ability to advise counsel on appropriate mental health and other expert assistance.
D. Team members must have the training and ability to use the information obtained in the mitigation investigation to illustrate and illuminate the factors that shaped and influenced the client’s behavior and functioning. The mitigation specialist must be able to furnish information in a form useful to counsel and any experts through methods including, but not limited to: genealogies, chronologies, social histories, and studies of the cultural, socioeconomic, environmental, political, historical, racial and religious influences on the client in order to aid counsel in developing an affirmative case for sparing the defendant’s life.
E. At least one member of the team must have specialized training in identifying, documenting and interpreting symptoms of mental and behavioral impairment, including cognitive deficits, mental illness, developmental disability, neurological deficits; long-term consequences of deprivation, neglect and maltreatment during developmental years; social, cultural, historical, political, religious, racial, environmental and ethnic influences on behavior; effects of substance abuse and the presence, severity and consequences of exposure to trauma. Team members acquire knowledge, experience, and skills in these areas through education, professional training and properly supervised experience.
F. Mitigation specialists must possess the knowledge and skills to obtain all relevant records pertaining to the client and others. They must understand the various methods and mechanisms for requesting records and obtaining the necessary waivers and releases, and the commitment to pursue all means of obtaining records.
Cross- References:
ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases 10.7—Investigation; 4.1—The Defense Team and Supporting Services; 5.1—Qualifications of Defense Counsel.