“Indigence is frequently associated with injustice and the quality of justice suffers as a result.” Arizona Justice Project Imagine waking up in a prison cell day in and day out, decade after decade, for a crime you didn’t commit. You’ve lost your career, your sense of self-worth, and perhaps even your family. Do […]
Criminal Investigation
Pre-Charge Investigations
“We are in the business of helping good people overcome bad situations” David Reddell It’s been said many times that the best defense is a good offense. A person who becomes the subject of a criminal investigation should hire a private investigator and an attorney without delay. For a potential defendant, time is of the […]
Why Neighborhood Canvasses Are Critical
“In the grace of truth, re-examine all that you have been told.” Lailah Gifty Akita Private investigators and attorneys often begin their investigation of an incident many months – or even years – after a case has been brought forth. As a result, many believe that investigations are limited to information contained within the […]
Investigative Timelines
“In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared minds.” Louis Pasteur Investigative case review and analysis are the heart and soul of a criminal defense investigation. Any seasoned private investigator worth his or her salt knows this – and, further, that the case review is where holes in the opposition’s investigation are discovered, […]
FBI Fingerprint Background Checks 101
In my line of work as a private investigator, I’m often asked to do “FBI nationwide background checks” for private clients, to assure them that their persons of interest do not have any skeletons in their closets. Sadly, this is when I explain that a nationwide background check does not exist, meaning that a […]
Private Investigators and the Criminal Justice Act
A little-known fact is that private investigators are available at no cost to indigent defendants charged with federal crimes. Private investigators can be a very important part of the defense. An estimated 85% of what occurs at a criminal trial directly results from work done outside of the courtroom. A defendant’s chance of being acquitted […]
Private Investigators Are Vital to Attorneys – Part 2
“I think any case that has any real complexity is going to require a private investigator for something.” – Ellen Henak, Appellate Lawyer. This blog series covers the importance of using private investigators to garner positive outcomes in settlements and trials. To refresh your memory, in Part 1 I discussed in detail how private investigators […]
Should You Be Your Own Private Investigator?
“Why can’t I just carry out this investigation on my own?” As a private investigator, I have been asked this question more times that I can remember. And to be perfectly honest, people are likely asking this because good private investigators don’t come cheap. While there may be instances when a person […]