The Center for Death Penalty Litigation was formed in October 1995, after the state and federal governments discontinued funding for its predecessor, the North Carolina Resource Center. 

A 501(c)3 non-profit, CDPL provides legal representation to indigent defendants accused and/or convicted of capital crimes in North Carolina. 

The Center's attorneys work primarily on
post-conviction cases, though some handle cases in the trial phase as well - about one-third of all inmates on the state's death row are currently
represented by a CDPL attorney. 

In addition to direct representation, CDPL also assists attorneys throughout North Carolina by providing trial and post-conviction consulting services, training programs and the most current research and information about capital litigation and the death penalty in general.