You are a small business owner, and you find indications that what appears to be employee theft occurring on a regular basis. You hire a private investigator who makes a case against your employee and you determine that you will prosecute. What now?

Purpose of an Affidavit

Most prosecuting attorneys, like the district attorney will only accept a case via the local police or county sheriff’s office. Your private investigator then presents your case to the detective that handles cases in the category of your situation, in this case probably embezzlement. Even if the private detective has submitted an affidavit, in most cases the police detective will have to prepare an affidavit, perhaps as simple as referring to the PI’s affidavit as an exhibit. In other jurisdictions the case reports form the basis for criminal affidavit, it will depend mostly on the quality of the investigation and the reports submitted by the PI and their firm.

Police Incident Report

A police crime/incident report will be prepared to initiate the process, this may have been taken and filled out by the PI or it may be initiated by the law enforcement detective/officer. The reports will be reviewed by the assigned police investigator and if the written documents support the elements of the crime and no civil rights are violated, mostly privacy issues the case is submitted.

Hiring a Private Investigator for a Civil Case

The procedure in a civil case differs. In most civil situations your attorney will either recommend an investigator or will contract with an investigator through his office to follow-up on the details of the matter. Whether you hire your own or retain the services of the attorney’s recommendation, after the case is complete you should get a report and your attorney should get a report. If up to that point you haven’t hired an attorney, you will be presented with the documents that support or prove no case. You should hire an investigator directly as this will usually be less expensive than if you go through your legal counsel.

Preemptive Investigations

The worth of a private investigator is the quality of his documentation supporting the investigation either criminal or civil. Sometimes a private investigator is called upon to conduct a preemptive investigation. In our ligated prone society pre-investigations can prevent involvement in situations that may result in financial loss or force a defensive litigation of a civil situation.

Due Diligence Investigation

Due diligence is becoming a ‘buzz word’ in the business and investor world. You have an obligation to protect yourself. You must determine the value of potential profit or loss before you enter into any binding contractual obligation. Risk must be evaluated before you jump, or you may not have standing in a court of law due to your lack of performing a due diligence investigation. A private investigator can conduct a due diligence investigation, showing that you performed a risk evaluation and deemed the other parties to be reliable and trustworthy and that participation and investment of capital is warranted.

Private Investigator & Security Services in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Weston, Plantation City & Miami Gardens Florida

A good private investigation firm can provide many services to protect not only the business enterprise but the individual as well. Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Fort Lauderdale Florida offers expert private investigation services. Contact us today!