How Private Investigators Help Attorneys

In the world of justice, a lot of factors go into ensuring the law is properly upheld. Attorneys are obviously necessary cornerstones in the legal process, but—often—the information lawyers use to present their cases is more than meets-the-eye. That is to say, there’s a quiet group of secret-seeking professionals, hiding in the shadows and uncovering essential information attorneys need to successfully complete their clients’ cases.

These information-finding professionals are known as private investigators; they make their living uncovering facts that substantiate or invalidate people’s legal claims. Attorneys partner with private investigators for a number of reasons, including the following:

1. Naming Potential Witnesses

Crimes often occur when it seems like nobody was around to see them. Without witnesses, cases can be incredibly difficult to prove, frequently ending with one person pitted against the other.

When no physical evidence is apparent, courts and corporations may have no alternative but to dismiss a plaintiff’s claims. Alternatively, a defendant may be completely innocent, but without credible witnesses available to testify against the accusing party, the accused person or company may suffer unjustly.

Private investigators perform surveillance, analyze video data, and speak to persons who may not even know they’re connected to the case, bridging gaps in knowledge and identifying witnesses who can provide first-hand insights into situations.

2. Facilitating Familial Matters

Custody disputes can be particularly painful for all parties involved. Family cases typically involve high emotions, and the lines can easily be blurred between what people remember and what actually happened.

Although emotions are normal human elements, there’s a difference between exaggerated stress and actual harm. Private investigators who focus on family law work directly with attorneys to evaluate their clients’ individual circumstances.

Their goal is to ensure :

• Findings are documented fully
• False accusations are addressed
• The safety of the child is put at the forefront of the case

Child custody cases often contain undocumented allegations. The more information an attorney is able to present in court, the better the parents’ chances are of finding a palatable and just solution that’s best for everyone involved. Private investigators are trained to meticulously document every finding, such that any detail can be placed under scrutiny.

3. Using the Legal Looking Glass

Evidence gathering can be a slow process. It’s as much about what will happen next as it is what’s already happened. Private investigators assist attorneys by:

• Predicting opponents’ next moves
• Finding people who don’t want to be found
• Discovering heirs to deceased clients’ property
• Uncovering hidden assets to forfeit others’ under-estimated claims
• Identifying unsavory endeavors that can be used as negotiation leverage

4. Monitoring Intellectual Property

Trademark and copyright infringement can impale a business’s brand. Private investigators know what to look for. They have the tools available to deploy substantial tracking methods, which can deter or eliminate unlawful theft online or elsewhere. With pro-active measures, P.I.s can act fast to stop problems from going further or prevent them from taking place in the first place.

For any type of legal dispute, solid evidence is needed to substantiate proof and derive a judicial settlement. The legwork necessary to properly compile information is usually far more than a law firm’s own staff can take on. This is why it makes sense to outsource the information-gathering aspect to professionals who specialize in unveiling hidden details.

Tim O’Rourke is one of the licensed investigators at The Grafton Group is a full-service team, based out of Tampa, FL. We invite you to learn more about the investigative services we provide attorneys and other legal professionals. Please feel free to call us or contact us online if we can be of assistance.