When people find out what we do for a living, the conversation usually turns to whatever case is in the news. This year, three Michigan cases keep coming up. So let’s talk about them the way we would across a table.
First, the ground rules. We did not work on any of these cases. Everything we know about them comes from public news reports, which are linked at the bottom, and news reports can be incomplete. Two of the cases are still in court, and every person charged with a crime is presumed innocent. We are not here to say who did what. We are here to talk about the questions these cases raise for anyone who does defense investigation.
“How does someone spend 17 years in prison for something he didn’t do?”
That question comes from the Dell Crawford case. News outlets reported this spring that a Wayne County judge set aside his murder conviction after new DNA testing, and that he...
The phone call comes, and everything stops. In the first two days after an arrest, families want to help, and that is when the most avoidable mistakes happen. These steps come from what we see as defense investigators.
1. Get the basics in writing
Find out where your loved one is being held, the booking or case number, the charges, and the date and court for the first appearance. Write it all down. You will be asked for it again and again.
2. Do not talk about the facts on the phone
Assume jail calls and visits are recorded. Talk about family, bills and support. Leave what happened for conversations with the attorney.
3. Get a lawyer involved right away
If you can hire an attorney, do it now. If you cannot afford one, your loved one can ask the court for an appointed attorney at the first appearance. Either way, the facts of the case should go through the lawyer.
4. Stay off social media
Do not...
Michigan's indigent defense standards expect more of assigned counsel than reviewing the police report. MIDC Standard 3 calls for an independent investigation of the charges and, where appropriate, a request for funds to retain an investigator. Here is how to make that work in practice.
Bring the investigator in early
The best time to start is right after you have read the discovery. Video, witnesses and records are easiest to find in the first weeks of a case.
Share the discovery
An investigator who has read the reports, watched the video and seen the witness list can spot gaps and contradictions that a summary would hide.
Define the questions
Give specific tasks: locate and interview these witnesses, canvass this block for cameras, pull these records, build a timeline for this window. Clear questions produce usable answers.
Agree on hours up front
Set a budget of hours for the case and ask for an update before it is exceeded. That keeps the funding request and the invoice straightforward.
Keep the...
As a criminal defense attorney, you understand the stakes of each case. Your client’s future depends on a meticulously crafted defense strategy, supported by comprehensive and accurate information.
This is where criminal defense investigations come into play. By digging deep into the facts, uncovering hidden details, and verifying evidence, professional investigators provide attorneys with the tools they need to build a robust defense.
At Phillips Private Investigations & Consulting Firm (PPIC), we specialize in assisting attorneys by conducting thorough criminal defense investigations that reveal the truth, uphold justice, and protect the rights of the accused.
What Sets Criminal Defense Investigations Apart with PPIC?
As an experienced attorney, you know the critical role that criminal defense investigations play in building a solid case. What distinguishes one investigation from another is the level of diligence, expertise, and strategic insight brought to the table. At Phillips Private Investigations & Consulting Firm (PPIC), we go beyond surface-level fact-finding to provide actionable insights that strengthen your defense strategy.
Our...
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