Experience

1998 – Present              J. Mitchel Private Investigations

Defense Fact Investigations in Capital, Felony and Civil Matters.  Post Conviction Investigations, Capital Punishment Mitigation

§         Investigation and Trial Strategy Development

§         Crime scene examination, photography and videotaping.

§         Witness location, interviewing, preparation and coordination.

§         Affidavit preparation, Jury Selection, Court Testimony

§         Trial Attorney support

§         Recognition and development of new evidence.

§         Juror Interviewing

1986 - 1998                   Lieutenant - Texas Department of Public Safety

Narcotics Service: El Paso '86-'91, Austin '91-'94, Kerrville '94-'98

§         Plan, organize and control major narcotics investigations

§         Supervise case preparation and presentation for prosecution

§         Supervise narcotics service personnel

§         Develop and supervise confidential informants

§         Supervise and support other criminal investigations

1979 - 1986                   Sergeant - Texas Department of Public Safety     

Narcotics Service:  Houston '79-'81, Austin '81-'86

§         Conduct major felony narcotics investigations

§         Conduct undercover operations, gather and preserve evidence

§         Develop and handle confidential informants

§         Case preparation, report writing and presentation for prosecution

§         Develop and support other felony criminal investigations

1974 - 1979                   Trooper - Texas Department of Public Safety       

Highway Patrol Service

§         Criminal and traffic law enforcement

§         Drug interdiction and felony apprehensions

§         Crime scene investigations

§         Support other felony investigations

Training Provider

Education

Training

Memberships

Surveillance, Criminal Law, Undercover Operations, Officer Street Survival

1974     St Edwards University, Austin, Texas

1973     Howard College, Big Spring, Texas

1972     Texas A & M University

Department of Public Safety Training Academy           Austin, Texas

     Criminal Investigations                            Crime Scene Investigation

     Evidence Preservation                             Photography, Videography

     Witness Interviewing Techniques           4^th Amendment Search and Seizure

     Texas Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure

Texas Defender Service Capital Trial Project                Austin, Texas

     Death Penalty Mitigation, 2003

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Capital Defense Project

     Capital Murder Seminar, 2005

     4^th Annual Forensics Training, 2006 

     Capital Habeas Workshop, 2008

     Death of a Child Under Age 6, 2008

     7th Annual Forensics Seminar 2009

Midwest Counter Drug Training Center

      Forensic Statement Analysis, 2007

National Legal Aid Defender Association

      Life in the Balance 2003- Defending Death Penalty Cases

      Life in the Balance 2007- Defending Death Penalty Cases

Member- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member- National Legal Aid Defender Association

Member- Texas Association of Licensed Investigators  

Member- Criminal Defense Investigation Training Counsel

Member- Texas Criminal Defense Investigators Association

Lifetime Member- DPS Officer’s Association

Licensure

Texas Commission on Private Security License  # A-09270

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education  Master Peace Officer Certification