TORLORF THOMAS
Summary
I am a dedicated defense investigator who pushes to achieve the best outcome for all clients. I bring a wealth of experience in multiple phases of the legal process, including pre-trial/arrest, appellate, and post-conviction. I have experience in both juvenile and adult defense as well as previous work with law enforcement. I possesses interview/people skills that allows/fosters effective information gathering from clients, previous counsel and their staff, as well as witnesses and experts.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Post-Conviction Unit Investigator
Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel
05.2024 - Current
- Locate and interview individuals (witnesses, codefendants, investigators, attorneys, medical personnel etc) with relevant information concerning clients’ cases.
- Review and analyze discovery materials, witness statements, and physical and/or digital evidence.
- Collaborate and consult with defense team members to develop the theory of the case and investigative strategies.
- Generate detailed, accurate reports or memorandum summarizing witness interviews, evidentiary observations, and performed work.
- Collect document, and preserving digital and physical evidence as appropriate.
- Re-investigate cases where clients have received life sentences.
- Investigate wrong-doings in parole and other legal hearing.
- Analyze the trial and appellate phase of the client's case for potential IAC claims or wrong-doings of the prosecution.
- Utilizing critical thinking and attention to detail to develop and pursue investigative leads and sources of information.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the client’s case through expert testimony.
- Communicate and meet with PCU Staff Attorneys and other team members regarding case status, court dates, witness information, and investigative progress.
- Tracking time and maintaining clear, timely notes in case management system.
- Seek clarification on investigation requests to prioritize and complete assigned tasks within appropriate timelines.
- Conduct fieldwork to collect client records, serve subpoenas, examine crime scenes, view physical evidence, etc.
- Maintain and use technology, tools, and equipment for conducting investigations including, but not limited to, audio recording devices, cameras, analytic software, office equipment, measurement tools, maps, and demonstrative media tools.
- Provide hearing support, including but not limited to: testifying, assisting as an advisory witness, and coordinating exhibits or witnesses, as needed.
- Travel throughout the country and elsewhere to pursue leads, gather information, visit clients, and attend court.
- Conduct Database and Social Media Searches
- Meet with clients and their families in office, custody or other locations.
- Attend Investigator trainings
- Attend Social Worker/Mitigation trainings
- Order Discovery; court records, police reports; DOC records; jail disciplinary records; professional visitation and CORA CCJRA Request
- Collect records and files from the client's previous counsel.
Investigator
Pale Writer Counsulting
07.2022 - 05.2024
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Conducted thorough face-to-face interviews with employers, families, neighbors, friends, and suspects, and documented investigative findings.
- Collected, analyzed and interpreted information, documentation, and physical evidence associated with investigations.
- Collected information pertaining to criminal proceedings and performed investigations to resolve cases.
- Interviewed and analyzed witnesses.
- Assisted in the development of investigative strategies, resulting in more efficient case resolutions.
- Conducted surveillance operations to gather critical intelligence, leading to successful case resolutions.
- Conducted multi-scope research into clients to determine potential strengths, weaknesses and opportunities regarding case avenues.
- Performed Social Media and open source investigations on all parties involved in the case.
Investigator Volunteer
Los Angeles County Public Defender
02.2023 - 05.2023
- Litigate criminal and noncriminal matters
- Observe character reference and interviews with attorneys and investigators
- Conduct case organization, crime scene reconstruction in comparison with details listed in police report and body worn camera footage
- Conduct online searches on various county and public sites
- Complete all task commands assigned by attorneys
- Conduct Witness name search in data system
- Conduct Pitchess case inquiries and organization involving special/protected subjects
- Provide clerical support with Call-in-letters
- Assist with daily duties in the Investigation Administration Officer
- Serve Subpoenas to law enforcement agencies, government officers, hospitals, institutions, etc
- Write follow-up reports after the completion of social media investigation, interviews and findings analyzed in police incident reports
- Analyze Medical Examiner Autopsy/Death Report in contrast with police findings
- Analyze Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities to accomplish investigation/case target
- Analyze cold cases in an attempt to find mitigating factors toward future appeals
Peace Officer
San Jose Police Department
10.2018 - 05.2022
- Conduct and analyze computerized record checks involving noncriminal and criminal history
- Investigate sensitive matters while maintaining professional relations with the subjects involved
- Actively analyze and enforce the various statutes and laws used In the Penal Code, Vehicle Codes, Business and Professions Code, etc
- Interview victim, witnesses, suspects and others to determine appropriate intentions and motives for case resolution
- Actively work investigations at all three phases
- 1st Response, Follow-up, locate and re-interview, submit reports to DA
- Communicate with supervisors about events surrounding shift and other relevant events
- Exercise appropriate discretion/problem solving and decision making in high stress situations
- Trained in mental health/crises interventions (Crisis Intervention Trained)
- Document unbiased, clear, concise and detailed reports involving incidents
- Analyze and compare reports, audio recordings, emails, body worn camera, spreadsheets and other electronic data to statements provided
- Actively participate and seek optional training opportunities and seminars
Youth Service Aid
Alabama Department of Youth Services
07.2017 - 07.2018
- Rehabilitate Convicted Youth Offenders (9yrs-21yrs)
- Supervise youth and create intervention techniques to aid youths progress
- Complete detailed reports involving youth's mental health diagnosis and progression
- Formulate behavior and contact plan with youth's social worker
- Develop relationships with youth's support groups to better assess youth's previous/social and cognitive skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL05-2017
Certification
Crisis Intervention Trained (Law Enforcement) (CaPOST Certified)
Advanced Interview and Interrogation Trained (CaPost Certified)
Interview and Interrogation (CaPost Certified) FBI Richard Lack
Challenging Cellular Location Records & Cell Phone Extractions
Date Issued: October 2024
Issued By: (Rocky Mountain Computer Forensics)
Mitigation Witness Interviewing
Date Issued: January 2025
Issued By: OADC (Kevin Bishop NAPD Contractor)
Timeline
Post-Conviction Unit Investigator
Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel
05.2024 - Current
Investigator Volunteer
Los Angeles County Public Defender
02.2023 - 05.2023
Investigator
Pale Writer Counsulting
07.2022 - 05.2024
Peace Officer
San Jose Police Department
10.2018 - 05.2022
Youth Service Aid
Alabama Department of Youth Services
07.2017 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Alabama State University
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