Office of Capital and Forensic Writs

The Office of Capital and Forensic Writs ("OCFW") is a Texas state public defender office located in Austin, Texas that represents individuals in state post-conviction litigation.  The OCFW, then known as the Office of Capital Writs, opened its doors in 2010, representing death-sentenced persons in state post-conviction proceedings exclusively. On September 1, 2015, the scope of the Office's mission expanded to include the representation of a select number of individuals raising challenges to their convictions through forensic science writs, and its name changed to reflect the expanded mandate.

The OCFW represents a substantial majority of persons sentenced to death in Texas in initial state habeas corpus applications and related proceedings, and is committed to client-centered and excellent post-conviction representation, consistent with the Guidelines and Standards for Texas Capital Counsel and the Supplementary Guidelines and Standards for the Mitigation Function of Defense Teams in Texas Death Penalty Cases adopted by the State Bar of Texas.