Most of the time when a process server goes out to deliver a civil document there was never a question of safety, but a question of will the subject avoid service.  Recently, a process server was killed after trying to serve divorce papers on a subject.  The subject became angry and killed the process server all because he did not want a divorce from his wife. 

There are questions that we have to ask the client to keep us safe and to have successful service.  Ask your client about the person you are serving.

Is the subject known for having a temper? 

Is the service in a dangerous area?

When will this person be home? 

Can we serve them at work?

Get as many details as possible. If it is a domestic case, try serving the person at work. They are less likely to become violent or give you a problem if there are at work.  Keep your cell phone handy in case you run into a hostile situation.

If you are an attorney or paralegal reading this PLEASE warn your process server if you believe the subject is violent.

In Texas, there are thousands of people in prison awaiting trial or an appeal for a criminal offense they did not commit.  If you gave the majority of those people a choice between hiring a “Great Lawyer with No Private Investigator” or a “Good Lawyer with a Great Private Investigator”; most would hire the “Great Lawyer with NO Private Investigator”.  Most criminal defendants think that lawyer can also be their investigator.   A great criminal defense lawyer knows about 85% of what happens at trial is a direct result of the work done outside of the courtroom before the trial begins.  Don’t let your attorney or anyone else tell you that you don’t need your own investigator.

Being a former Police Officer and FBI Agent, I know there are always two sides to the truth. During my 20 year career, I have seen many people get prison and probation sentences because there was no one willing to investigate their side of the truth.  I have seen lawyers all over the state work out plea bargains, probation and prison sentences for clients when they were not always necessary.  

Here are some facts to consider when you are facing criminal charges:  

Approximately 70% of all criminal defendants do not have a private investigator working for them. 

In every case, the District Attorney has the police investigating for them.  Do you think the police will investigate on your behalf?

Hiring your own private investigator gives you a better chance of charges being reduced or dismissed.

Even if you have a court appointed attorney, you may have the right to request that the court appoint a private investigator to investigate your side of the truth.

If your case goes to trial, your defense lawyer will be at a big disadvantage going against  the District Attorney if you do not have a private investigator working for you.

Having an experienced private investigator working with a good lawyer will increase the chances of your case being dismissed or the charges getting reduced.

Welcome to our new blog.  Be sure to check back regularly for the latest information about The Investigative Firm and the services we offer.  If this is your first visit to our site, we look forward to providing any and all of your investigative needs, including employment background checks, skip tracing, asset searches, and infidelity investigations.  With offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, you can be sure that our team of experienced private investigators will help you find the answers!  Be sure to check out all of our private investigation services.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.