IIC Legal Investigator

State of North Carolina•Ncjc Judicial Center Wake, NC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission is seeking a qualified candidate to conduct post-conviction criminal investigations for claims of factual innocence made by individuals convicted of felonies in North Carolina. This is a time-limited, grant-funded, full-time position with funding ending on September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Knowledge of NC law, Criminal and Civil Procedure; the NC court system; the rules of evidence; law enforcement investigative techniques and procedures: and common practices for witness interviews.
Skill in effective communication orally and in writing.
Skill in Microsoft office and case management software.
Skill in Axon Justice.
Ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, and regulations, and apply them to specific situations and issues.
Ability to analyze and comprehend voluminous amounts of information and identify minute and/or overlooked details.
Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
Ability to remain neutral throughout investigations.
Bachelor's degree in the field of criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or related field and one (1) year of experience in law enforcement or criminal investigation; or an Associate's degree with three (3) years of experience in law enforcement or criminal investigation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Conducts in-depth investigations of claims of factual innocence.
Reviews and analyzes voluminous case files, transcripts and discovery.
Develops questions for witnesses, claimants, law enforcement, and other interviews based on the totality of a case.
Locates and interviews witnesses, to include witnesses both in North Carolina and outside of North Carolina and witnesses in state and federal prisons.
Locates, inspects and evaluates physical evidence, to include searches for physical evidence and/or case files.
Prepares investigative reports that accurately document details of interviews, file reviews, witness searches, evidence/file searches, etc.
Prepares comprehensive case memos to document facts of case, investigative steps taken, and proposed investigative activities/DNA testing for presentation to Executive Director and/or Assistant Director.
Communicates with law enforcement agencies, clerk’s offices, district attorney’s offices and other professionals as needed throughout case investigation.
Tracks and reports case data.
Organizes case files.
Serves process, compelling the attendance and testimony of witnesses, production of documents, and production of evidence.
Prepares for and testifies at Commission Hearings and other proceedings directly related to assigned cases.
Conducts on-going, independent research and literature review to stay abreast of current techniques and new developments in criminal investigation and forensic science (evidence recovery, collection and testing).
Advises Commission and Staff on forensic science and investigative techniques to develop and verify evidence of innocence.