When it comes to using high-quality, experienced DUI attorneys such Michael Romano of Romano Law, P.C., you can expect to receive nothing short of the best. Knowledgeable in federal and state laws, having thousands of hours in the courtroom defending those accused of DUIs, and dedicated to getting you the best defense possible, DUI lawyers like Michael Romano don’t typically need help from an outsider.
And, the same can be said of any kind of attorney working hard to prosecute the bad guys, or defend the innocent.
However, what many attorneys don’t realize is the value that a private investigator can bring to pending cases. In fact, there are several ways private investigators can help attorneys like Michael Romano get his client the best leverage when it comes to presenting a case before the court.
How a Private Investigator Can Assist an Attorney
1. Witness Interrogations
As the private investigator industry changes, more PIs than ever are assisting attorneys with finding credible witnesses and interviewing them to obtain relevant case information.
Investigators are analytical, street-wise, and creative when it comes to finding mystery witnesses and getting them to share what they know. This kind of information is vital to a court case that may not have a firm defense yet, or one that witnesses simply don’t want to speak up for.
2. Enforce Judgments
Winning your client’s case is not always the hard part when it comes to representing someone in a civil case. In fact, enforcing the judgment against the opposing party sometimes proves impossible if the party disappears without a trace.
That’s where an experienced private investigator can help. Seeking out people that have jumped paying up when court ordered to do so can prove useful for a lawyer’s reputation, and of course, makes the client happy.
3. Help See the Unthinkable
Again, private investigators have a knack for putting things together that may not have made sense initially. Attorneys have the power to think critically, but sometimes get stuck thinking inside the box. Having an outsider’s view, one that is not completely tied to thinking in terms of the law alone, can prove useful for connecting the dots.
4. Document Collection
A good private investigator will know how to gather documentation to help your client’s case, as well as where to look for it. For example, photographs, video surveillance, witnesses and their statements, police reports, and public official interviews are the tangibles that an attorney can bring before the judge to prove a case. Utilizing an investigator’s experience and knowledge makes the process of documentation collection quicker and more efficient.
5. Electronic Evidence Recovery
It is not unheard of to hear that someone has deleted electronic documents such as emails or other computer files in order to avoid legal trouble.
And, while an attorney may know that those documents are needed, they might not know how to get ahold of them. Hiring a private investigator to access the computer system (legally) and retrieve sensitive information can mean the difference between winning and losing a case.
6. Asset Location
In cases of bankruptcy, domestic disputes, and business fallouts, a person’s personal assets are usually at risk. This can lead a person to begin hiding assets in order to avoid losing everything valuable they own. This includes things like antiques, collectibles, motor vehicles, aircrafts, and even cash in offshore accounts. A private investigator makes a living off finding people, and they are just as good at finding things too.
In the end, a private investigator seeks to assist attorneys of all kinds build a strong case, find key witnesses, and gather any relevant evidence that may help an attorney settle or win a court case.
As an attorney, it is important you keep in mind the value a private investigator brings to pending court cases and consider enlisting one the next time a huge case lands on your desk.