In most situations, your defense attorney will be the one who will recommend hiring an investigator. Defense attorneys routinely work with private investigators and know which ones will be best suited for your case. If your attorney doesn’t recommend hiring an investigator for your case, ask them why.
Many public defender investigators have substantial law enforcement or private investigator experience. In the California county of San Bernardino, according to a state website, most public defender investigators have 21 or more years of experience.
When your defense attorney hires a criminal defense investigator, their job is to examine the evidence the police have already gathered, interpret it, and look for any additional evidence that may prove your innocence. Ready To Speak To An Attorney?
Private investigators are renowned for tracking people down, and that, as you can expect, is a pretty useful skill when you are facing criminal charges and there is one witness that can exonerate you. While police reports often record witness statements and contact information, they only record witnesses that stay at the scene. A private investigator can help to track down other witnesses you might have noted or witnesses that gave false information to the police and can no longer be found.
This means a private investigator can be used to look over evidence and witness statements for inconsistencies or other things that don’t make sense. Often they will be used to talk to witnesses to make sure their accounts continue to line up and remain consistent, which is something your lawyer might not have time for. However, it is everyone’s desire to make sure a case has all the available evidence that can possibly be gathered.
BEI investigators (and investigators from the various licensing boards) are thorough in their work. They carefully review the various documents that pertain to the case, and they often visit the homes and businesses of people with whom the professional interacts. Investigators also seek to discuss the matter directly with the professional.
Our Philadelphia license defense attorneys are some of the most experienced you will find in the commonwealth. We have handled investigations involving the BEI, the nursing board, dental board, medical board, pharmacy board and nearly all other boards in the state.
Preserving your professional standing in the communities in which you serve is our priority at The Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn. If you would like to speak with an attorney about how to conduct yourself when contacted by the BEI, contact us today online or call our Philadelphia office toll-free at 866-657-7318.
If the private investigator unearths any inconsistencies or ulterior motives, they may be able to be used as a part of the client's defense. By the same merit, if the private investigator finds out that there are other witnesses who had not come forward, he or she can then look into these developments further.
Throughout the criminal defense investigation, the private investigator will scour routine police reports, copies of evidence, photographs, phone messages and witness statements related to the case, with the ultimate goal being to determine whether or not there are any inconsistencies from one witness to the next .
A private investigator can ensure fairness, leveling the playing field and providing the defendant with a neutral and impartial investigator to seek and gather the facts so that they can be assessed when the defendant presents his or her defense. This ultimately highlights how important it is for a criminal defense attorney to hire a professional private investigator who knows how to conduct a thorough and professional criminal investigation.
Private investigators are full trained to take the time to understand the charges and laws associated with a specific crime when an attorney uses a private investigator in a criminal defense investigation. Once the private investigator develops a concrete understanding of the case in question, he or she will go over all of the materials that the defense team has received from the prosecutor.
Obtaining and preserving evidence is essential to any criminal defense case. The investigator must understand related laws, the proper way to gather evidence and maintain the chain of custody for possible court proceeding. Many good criminal cases have been lost because of tainted evidence.
A general defense team is naturally suited to argue legal points , however, there are instances in obscure cases when it’s necessary to gain insight from various disciplines that are unfamiliar. Ultimately, there are industry-specific issues in which most attorneys do not have any competency (this is not a criticism!).
Regardless of an attorney's accumulated skill, experience, or efficiency, it's always an easy task to stay on top of all the work that comes through your door. When an attorney is working on multiple cases, it's often more difficult to find the time to fish for case-making facts as thoroughly as one would hope.
However, each case is different and it may or may not be in your best interest to speak with the police. Consult with a criminal lawyer and explain the details of your case to him and he should be able to guide you.
Not only is it not required, it is a horrible decision to make without first speaking to your own lawyer. There may be some times to speak, but unless it can stop charges from being issued, it can only hurt you. Click on the link to the left to call me and discuss.
A version of this question comes up about once every other week. You are not required to speak with an investigator prior to charges being filed against you. The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States specifically says that you are not required to say anything that may tend to incriminate you.
No, it is not required and furthermore, it is not recommended. If you think that charges may be filed against you, you need to get an attorney immediately. Talking to the police without an attorney can only hurt you, as anything you say to them can be used against you later. An attorney can deal with the police, and even try to make sure that no charges will be filed. Talking to the police without an attorney is a very bad idea. If you are interested in discussing your options, please give me a call. We can sit down for a free meeting and figure out the best way to keep you safe. I am a former prosecutor and I know how the system works. I've helped a lot of people in very similar situations.
You are absolutely NOT required to speak with an investigator prior to charges being filed against you. In fact, any criminal defense attorney will tell you never to speak with an investigator when you are the subject of criminal investigation. If there is sufficient evidence to constitute probable cause for an arrest, you will be arrested. If you willingly submit to an interview, you may unwittingly provide the necessary evidence to not only justify your arrest but assist the prosecution in securing a conviction. An investigator only wants to interview a suspect to obtain a confession or other incriminating statements. No suspect will ever talk his way out of an impending arrest. Contact me for a free consultation.
No, in fact you should not speak with the investigator about the case *at all*. You should hire an attorney and give the investigator the name and telephone number of the attorney and give the attorney the name and number of the detective.
No way! The police can, will, and are legally allowed to lie to you, however. It starts to get questionable if they lie to you about having to speak with them before talking to your lawyer though, but the Courts will not protect you. Do not speak to the police. Demand a lawyer and speak to your lawyer. No, they will not "go easy" on you. No, they will not "put in a good word with the Judge (or D.A.) for you". No, they will not "let you go home". No, you do not care if the Investigator "just needs to finish up this report". Are you kidding me? Some of the ploys they use are so juvenile and transparent, even ludicrous, that it boggles my mind that people fall for them. You have the right to remain silent. Waive it, and you will be sorry.
The public defenders investigator works for the public defender and is their to help your brother. In California, the defendant is only required to disclose the names and addresses of witnesses that they intend to call at trial (PC 1054.3).
I agree with Mr. Meehan. Typically, an attorney, particulary a criminal defense attorney, will not want to take your statement regarding what an individual knows or witnessed because if the witness testifies in court to something different, the attorney may have to become a witness.
The investigator works for the Public Defender. What you say to him is for the use of the public defender. If you are later asked to testify, the interview notes may be required to be turned over to the prosecutor. It is better to tell the truth or not speak to him. If you want to help your brother, it is...
Beyond searching for and gathering evidence, an investigator will help the attorney organize it. A public defender investigator may help the attorney prepare legal documents, such as subpoenas. The investigator also must carefully document whatever evidence he finds, allowing an attorney to effectively use it in court.
These are attorneys who represent clients who cannot afford private legal representation. It is the job of the investigator to work with the public defender. The investigator may get some direction from the public defender, but he is largely responsible for finding the evidence the defender needs. Unlike a private practice, the investigator and the attorney do not receive their compensation from the defendant. They are both paid by the government.
Investigators working in the federal executive branch earned the most. The average annual salary for federal detectives and criminal investigators was $96,680.
The federal government also hires public defender investigators. Some states sponsor trainee programs for aspiring investigators who wish to work in public service. The training uses a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience. Classes cover firearms, witness interviewing, and criminal investigation techniques.
In the California county of San Bernardino, according to a state website, most public defender investigators have 21 or more years of experience. In addition to their legal experience, most investigators have experience with court testimony.
The investigator may get some direction from the public defender, but he is largely responsible for finding the evidence the defender needs. Unlike a private practice, the investigator and the attorney do not receive their compensation from the defendant. They are both paid by the government.
As prior official witnesses for a defense or prosecution, investigators are familiar with this aspect of a court proceeding. Public defender investigators know what types of witnesses are appropriate for certain cases.