Many lawyers and law firms depend on private investigators for crucial information to build their cases and represent their clients effectively.

Given the multitude of cases attorneys handle daily, hiring a private investigator is invaluable. PIs provide access to information that lawyers may not have the time or resources to obtain. This allows attorneys to focus on legal strategy and offer their clients the best possible representation.

Additionally, lawyers utilize private investigators to gain a competitive edge over their opponents and make informed decisions regarding their practice and business associates. PIs are also instrumental in criminal defense investigations, providing essential professional insights that can be pivotal to a lawyer’s case.

Key Reasons Lawyers Work with Private Investigators

Gathering Evidence

One of the primary reasons for collaborating with a private investigator is to gather evidence. PIs are adept at examining crime scene photos and uncovering critical details that can significantly impact a case. Their meticulous attention to detail and investigative techniques often reveal new evidence that can be crucial for any criminal defense case.

PIs can re-interview witnesses to uncover additional details or verify the consistency of their testimony. They also identify new witnesses who might have been overlooked, potentially turning the tide in favor of the lawyer’s case. For white-collar crimes, their investigative skills are indispensable.

Locating People

Private investigators excel at locating missing individuals or those who do not want to be found. Using comprehensive reports and surveillance, PIs can track down and identify witnesses whose statements are vital for the case. They can work with minimal information, sometimes just a name or nickname, to find the person in question.

PIs can also find new witnesses and establish their relevance to the case, such as former employees who can provide insights into corporate misconduct or witnesses too afraid to come forward initially.

Finding Assets

Locating hidden assets is another critical service provided by private investigators. From spouses hiding assets to avoid alimony or child support to employees embezzling funds, PIs can uncover assets legally to ensure the findings are admissible in court. They can locate real estate, vehicles, valuable property, and both domestic and offshore bank accounts, although obtaining detailed bank account information may require a court order due to privacy laws.

Collecting Digital Evidence

Keeping pace with technology, private investigators gather valuable digital evidence through social media investigations. They scrutinize social media accounts to discover details that place individuals at specific times and locations or even find those trying to remain hidden.

The information gathered from social media, combined with background checks, can provide significant contributions to a lawyer’s case. For more in-depth digital investigations, PIs often collaborate with digital forensic experts to retrieve information from various devices and recover deleted files.

Vetting Employees and Business Partners

Conducting thorough background checks on potential employees and business partners is crucial for law firms. Private investigators can perform comprehensive background checks to ensure that potential hires have not lied on their resumes and do not pose a risk of committing fraud or theft. The reputation and safety of the firm depend on this due diligence.

Background checks provide information on the professional and criminal history of individuals, with PIs knowing exactly where and what to look for while adhering to legal standards.

Conclusion

From family law and child custody cases to insurance fraud, corporate investigations, and criminal cases, private investigators play a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. Many law firms prefer to have a private investigator on retainer or establish partnerships with PI agencies.

Working with a private investigator often accelerates case resolution. The reputation of a law firm can hinge not only on the skills and determination of its lawyers but also on the experience, knowledge, and intuition of private investigators.

If you need professional investigative services to support your legal practice, consider partnering with 3 Pillars Consulting LLC to enhance your case outcomes and protect your firm’s reputation.