What to Look for When Hiring an Investigator on a DUI Case
If you have been charged with a DUI then one of the best things to do is hire an investigator. The purpose of the investigator is to interview any and all witnesses, look into any evidentiary issues, and provide feedback on the best ways to attack the case.
In a DUI case hiring a good investigator is well worth its weight in gold. A good investigator can mean the difference between going to jail and not. However there are hundreds and hundreds of investigators out there. So how do you know which one to hire, and which one is the best. In my opinion there are three qualities that you need to look for when hiring an investigator, especially on a DUI case.
Background in law enforcement: Have you ever heard the term "fighting fire with fire." Well if the main witness against the defendant is the police office who conducting the DUI investigation than you want to have a cop on your side. The reason being is ex law enforcement officers are aware of all the little tricks of the trade, they most likely have testified thousands of times before, and they may have some contacts with the law enforcement agency who conducted the arrest.
Background in field sobriety tests: In a DUI case one of the most common things to attack are the field sobriety tests. Whether they were administered correctly, whether they were scored incorrectly, whether they never should have been administered the client, whether there are any studies which in fact show they are not accurate indicators of impairment. All of these things come into play, and having an investigator who is familiar with this, or who is a instructor of the field sobriety tests will help discover any issues.
Experience: Generally in most professions experience is good to have, but its not tantamount to success. However in the world of DUI investigation having an experienced investigator is very important. As a Seattle DUI Lawyer and some who exclusively practices DUI defense, having an investigator who may have had similar cases, or investigated similar issues, or the same cops is very beneficial. Especially when they can share their expertise and experience on the matter.
Obviously there are many factors to look at when retaining an investigator. Sometimes the best person to contact to help you make this decision would be your Seattle DUI Lawyer. But if you can find one with these three qualities you will give yourself the best chance of securing an outcome that would be in your best interests.
In a DUI case hiring a good investigator is well worth its weight in gold. A good investigator can mean the difference between going to jail and not. However there are hundreds and hundreds of investigators out there. So how do you know which one to hire, and which one is the best. In my opinion there are three qualities that you need to look for when hiring an investigator, especially on a DUI case.
Background in law enforcement: Have you ever heard the term "fighting fire with fire." Well if the main witness against the defendant is the police office who conducting the DUI investigation than you want to have a cop on your side. The reason being is ex law enforcement officers are aware of all the little tricks of the trade, they most likely have testified thousands of times before, and they may have some contacts with the law enforcement agency who conducted the arrest.
Background in field sobriety tests: In a DUI case one of the most common things to attack are the field sobriety tests. Whether they were administered correctly, whether they were scored incorrectly, whether they never should have been administered the client, whether there are any studies which in fact show they are not accurate indicators of impairment. All of these things come into play, and having an investigator who is familiar with this, or who is a instructor of the field sobriety tests will help discover any issues.
Experience: Generally in most professions experience is good to have, but its not tantamount to success. However in the world of DUI investigation having an experienced investigator is very important. As a Seattle DUI Lawyer and some who exclusively practices DUI defense, having an investigator who may have had similar cases, or investigated similar issues, or the same cops is very beneficial. Especially when they can share their expertise and experience on the matter.
Obviously there are many factors to look at when retaining an investigator. Sometimes the best person to contact to help you make this decision would be your Seattle DUI Lawyer. But if you can find one with these three qualities you will give yourself the best chance of securing an outcome that would be in your best interests.