Yes. Under Michigan law, licensed professional investigators are permitted to install GPS tracking devices on vehicles without a warrant or the vehicle owner’s knowledge or consent, provided the evidence obtained is intended for use in litigation. Accordingly, Vantage Point utilizes GPS tracking technology only in select cases and in coordination with the client’s legal counsel. When appropriate, GPS trackers can serve as a powerful investigative tool, offering valuable insights and critical information. If you want to know more check out our Article: What a Private Investigator Can (and Can’t) legally do for you

Often times, victims do not have enough evidence for law enforcement or the courts to act. A skilled investigator can help bridge that gap, employing advanced surveillance techniques and meticulous evidence collection to ensure you have the proof needed to move forward with confidence.

Experience is crucial when it comes to obtaining records. The quality and completeness of the information received often depend on how the request is crafted. A skilled investigator understands which records are available, which agencies to contact, and often maintains established relationships with those agencies—helping to expedite the process efficiently.

Typically no. This is one of those times that an investigator will require you to waive confidentiality. If the investigator locates the person and is able to make contact with them, the investigator will provide your information and inform the person that you are attempting to reach them.

The client agreement states that there is no PPO on file that would be violated by the investigation. The investigator will also verify the information with the court.

Yes! In a civil case, the investigator is prepared to provide clear and credible testimony regarding the evidence they have carefully obtained and documented. Collaborating closely with your attorney, they ensure every aspect of the investigation is thoroughly explained, giving you confidence that your case is supported by accurate and reliable information.

Typically, yes. When it comes to civil cases, Vantage Point typically only provides services to clients that have an attorney representing them. There are several reasons for this. One reason is that it protects the integrity of the investigation and ensures that the evidence gathered and provided will be admissible and useful in court. It prevents the client from wasting money. There are also certain investigative tools and resources available in civil cases that are dependent on an “anticipation of litigation.”

Yes! The Michigan statute governing professional investigator licensing ensures a high level of confidentiality between clients and their investigators. In fact, the law explicitly prohibits investigators from disclosing any information regarding their clients.

There are a couple of important reasons to utilize a professional investigator. First, for impeachment purposes: if you conduct your own witness interviews in preparation for trial and a witness provides a conflicting account during testimony, you cannot personally use your prior conversations to impeach that witness. However, your investigator can do so, which positions both you and your client for a stronger likelihood of success.

Second, retaining an investigator can help protect against claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The Michigan Supreme Court has held that an attorney may be found ineffective for failing to use an investigator, even when funding was available to do so.

Yes. A retained attorney, even when compensated by the defendant, may request that their client be screened and evaluated to determine eligibility for indigent funding for investigative services. For a more detailed discussion, please see my blog post.

A criminal defense investigator plays a vital role in strengthening your defense team, providing your attorney with the resources needed to ensure a thorough and effective representation. We collaborate closely with your attorney to examine every aspect of your case, including police reports, body-worn camera footage, witness statements, interviews, and physical evidence. By analyzing what is known, we identify gaps, inconsistencies, and areas that require further investigation. When the full story is not yet clear, we work diligently to uncover the missing pieces, empowering your attorney to build the most comprehensive defense possible.

Yes! There is state funding in Michigan through the MIDC (Michigan Indigent Defense Commission) that is available in every county for defendants that cannot afford an attorney or investigator. These funds can be used to pay for an investigator to be part of your criminal defense team.