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 work under counsel’s direction
The investigator works as part of the defense team. Route assignments and findings through counsel so the work stays protected.
Ask for written reports
Interview summaries, a records log and a timeline give you something to work from at hearings and in plea discussions, and something to hand to the next attorney if the case changes hands.
PPIC is an approved MIDC vendor and works with assigned counsel across Metro Detroit.
Phillips Private Investigations & Consulting Firm provides criminal defense investigation for attorneys and assigned counsel across Metro Detroit. Call 734-941-5200 for a free, confidential consultation.
