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Meet Derrick
My Passion
My name is Derrick St. Fort and I am the founder of Mitigation & Justice. I am Haitian, born and raised in Miami, Florida.
I am driven by an unwavering commitment to public service and social justice a calling that feels not only natural but necessary. This passion has shaped my career and deepened my understanding of the justice system and the individuals it affects. To me, my clients are never just cases; they are mirrors of my own experiences, challenges, and humanity.
I recognize how a single misstep or circumstance could have placed me in their position. That awareness fuels my resolve to use my knowledge, experience, and voice to advocate for meaningful change. I work relentlessly toward a future where fairness and dignity are not privileges, but guarantees regardless of a person’s background or situation.
My Experience and Expertise
With over 20 years of experience as a Criminal Defense Investigator at both the state and federal levels, I have worked on a wide range of cases from juvenile offenses and worthless check charges to misdemeanors, felonies, and capital crimes. My decision to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work was pivotal, inspiring my transition into the role of a Mitigation Specialist, where I bring together investigative skill and
clinical insight.
As a Mitigation Specialist, I focus on personalizing the stories behind the case files. My responsibilities include building trusting relationships with clients and their families, conducting in-depth biopsychosocial assessments, developing trauma-informed timelines, and crafting persuasive sentencing advocacy materials. I also coordinate release plans, produce compelling mitigation videos that highlight each client’s life journey, identify and collaborate with expert witnesses, and coach clients and their families on courtroom
presence and decorum.
What sets my work apart is my expertise in blending compelling client narratives with factual evidence. By centering the voices and lived experiences of my clients, I strive to deliver advocacy that is effective and compassionate.
My Education and Certifications
Derrick St. Fort, MSW. CCDI
Licenses and Certifications
- Private Investigator License
- Certified Criminal Defense Investigator
Professional Organizations
- Board Member of the Florida Coalition of Higher Education In Prison
- Florida Prison Education Project
- National Organization of Forensic Social Workers
- National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists
Presentations and Trainings
- Mitigation
- Mental Health
- Investigations
- Forensic Interviewing
- Social Media Investigations
- Records and Documentation
Mentorship and Supervision
- Supervisor for professional, undergraduate and graduate level Investigator and Social Work Interns
- Orange County Public Schools Lunch Buddies Mentorship Program
Degrees: Florida State Univeristy
- Master's Degree in Social Work
- Bachelor's Degree in Criminology