C.E. Kelley & Associates Investigations

Utilizing a Criminal Defense Investigator

Few, if any, successful attorneys have the time to conduct investigative activities.  A thorough investigation must be conducted and can entail activities that require time consuming work.  All potential witnesses must be interviewed.  Additional witnesses should be developed beyond what law enforcement has identified.  Law enforcement officers tend to focus on evidence, information and witnesses that support their case rather than on the objective facts of the case.

Without a thorough independent investigation by the defense, evidence, information and witnesses that support the defendant may never be revealed.  In addition to standard investigative activities, the investigator can review discovery documents to develop leads, evaluate prospective jurors, serve legal papers, and provide support and feedback during trial.

Investigators are often more experienced in conducting interviews than attorneys.  They can also go into geographical areas the attorney may not wish to go.  In many cases, they can better relate to witnesses of varying backgrounds, social leverls, and ethnic origins.  Since many private investigators are former law enforcement officers, they can often obtain information from LE sources that others can't.

Use of an investigator by an attorney provides an image of a well staffed, professional defense team.  Since the investigator's fee is a legal expense to be born by the client above and beyond the attorney's fee, his/her services are at no cost to the attorney. 

Criminal Defense Support

Identify & locate wintesses 

Interview witnesses

Evaluate witnesses

Interview professional sources

• Expert witnesses
• Coroners
• LE Officers

Conduct records searches

Conduct database searches

Serve legal papers

Review discovery documents

Review evidence

Provide trial support

• Provide feedback
• Schedule witnesses
• Take notes
• Run errands
• Jury selection

Visit jailed clients

Any legal support necessary