Under the direction of the Chief Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Law Division and the general direction of the Chief Deputy Attorney General, and the Attorney General, Deputies in the Post-Conviction Justice Unit (PCJU) work independently and with broad discretion, conducting extrajudicial review of criminal convictions referred to the unit, and cases for potential resentencing, including their suitability for post-conviction relief.

Deputies will be responsible for the development and day-to-day management of the PCJU, which includes hiring staff and developing, coordinating and executing the objectives and policies governing the PCJU. This includes, but is not limited to, determining case review priorities, case review criteria, investigations, case resolution and appropriate remedies, special concerns in evaluating forensic evidence, communications with pro se applicants, applicants’ counsel and other stakeholders, discovery access, and victim outreach and advocacy.

The Deputies will provide statewide leadership and coordination among local PCJUs to ensure system-wide best practices are implemented and to establish a culture of integrity, transparency, and efficacy that promotes public trust and confidence in our criminal legal system. This includes but is not limited to identifying additional resources and partnerships, collaborating with other sections within the Department, and consulting or contracting with outside agencies, organizations and experts.

The Deputies will also develop criteria for evaluating cases for resentencing, apply such criteria to cases, develop best practices in resentencing, and coordinate and collaborate with district attorneys in their resentencing proceedings. The Deputies may be assigned other post-conviction work as deemed appropriate by the Chief Deputy Attorney General. As a lead, coordinates, monitors, reviews and directs the work of PCJU staff, which may include, but is not limited to, graduate students, law clerks, investigators, and paralegals.