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What We Do ...
By George Faragalli, April 10, 2010 4:00 AM PST
What We Do…
An experienced private detective can provide a vast array of services. Especially in today’s “high-tech” society, many detective agencies specialize in providing computer-based research such as locating debtors (or “skip-tracing”); conducting pre-employment and pre-marital checks; identifying hidden and moved assets; and criminal background checks. Private investigators are routinely engaged in domestic cases; service of process and subpoenas; working undercover (such as in a corporate environment); and providing assistance in criminal defense cases including juror profiling and trial preparation. Although a resourceful investigator can provide services unknown and unlearned to the commoner, new technologies such as GPS allow not only a professional to conduct surveillance, but anyone with the means (and a little practice) can determine the whereabouts of any individual at any given time. Gone are the days of simply paying an informant for information and following subjects only by car or on foot.
The perfection of process and the service of subpoenas are an ever-increasing market for investigative agencies. Our company designates certain individuals to quickly and efficiently serve a defendant. The detective will immediately begin locating the subject, which increases the chances a defendant can be served before they become aware of any potential litigation. Since most notices are not filed ex-parte, the defendant may choose to flee the jurisdiction once he or she becomes aware of the filing. This may hinder the courts’ ability to successfully serve a defendant through the local sheriff or marshal. The likelihood of a uniformed officer perfecting service on such a defendant is improbable. Because law enforcement is so overwhelmed with this task, they are unable to take the time or expend the additional funding necessary to develop a strategy designed to predict and then surprise these defendants with service.
The vast majority of process service requests our company receives are from clients who have been unable to serve the defendant or respondent by conventional means. It is not uncommon for a defendant who has experience in due process to avoid the local authorities. Perfecting process on troublesome defendants is a skill, and hiring a detective in a timely manner may ensure that process is made before a statute of limitation could bar your action. Most private investigators are also seasoned in the art of surveillance.
With today’s technology it is not only easy but expected that investigators secure video footage of numerous civil indiscretions. Parents wanting their minor children observed during prom night and other social occasions; suspected acts of infidelity; and allegations of an “unfit parent” during a custody battle are but a few instances where surveillance can be practical. Private investigators routinely conduct surveillance on insurance claimants to determine the validity of an injury, or to ensure that the applicant is not supplementing their income while drawing benefits. It is also customary for our members to video or photograph defendants who are alleged to be unstable during any attempt to serve process. Quality video or photographic evidence can make months or even years of legal work worthwhile to both you and your client. Depending on the type of practice, most trial attorneys will eventually need an investigator to conduct some sort of surveillance on an opposing party.
