Jury Panel Background Checks / General Background Checks

This is a relatively new and invaluable area of investigative specialization. For the past couple of years, we have been conducting background checks on jury panels to assist defense counsel in large exposure civil cases. However, the potential application is also critical for both civil plaintiff and criminal defense attorneys. During the course of this background investigation, we identify the jurors’ residential history and then search for prior involvement in civil and/or criminal litigation. More often than not, this can be accomplished both throughout Florida as well as nationwide. On numerous occasions, we have discovered documentation of a juror having “forgotten” to mention, during jury selection, that they (or a close family member) were a party to a lawsuit or a defendant in a past criminal case(s). This documentation alone has led to more than one juror being dismissed by the court. We also conduct a search of social media activity. Believe it or not, it is not unheard of for a juror to either post a comment such as “I have to waste a few days of my life on jury duty” or to post comments about the case as the trial progresses. This type of investigation must be completed as early in the trial process as possible. If a request is going to be made of the Judge to dismiss a juror, it must be done early on in the trial. For this reason, it is important to engage an Investigator with in-depth knowledge of precisely how to conduct and complete the assignment in a timely manner.

Process Service

Bracewell Investigations has been handling legal process service since 1986. With that depth of experience, you can count on us to get the job done. We handle service throughout both the state of Florida as well as across the United States. Service is also available outside of the United States.

Because we are a licensed full service Detective Agency as well, we can also conduct “skip-trace/locates” to ascertain the current whereabouts of the subject to be served. Our experience as Investigators provides a skill set that is not always available from someone who only delivers papers.

Clients can track the status of service online by utilizing their personally assigned login information to access our database. This is particularly useful when you have an “after hours” need to know or when you’ve misplaced or misfiled a Return of Service and a replacement is needed. If you need a Return of Service on a paper that we served six months ago – it can be generated in a matter of moments.

Civil Cases

Although we primarily work on behalf of Insurance Defense Law Firms and Insurance Companies, we do have significant experience handling assignments for plaintiff’s attorneys. This, of course, gives us valuable insight as to how “both sides” approach a case.

We are well versed in conducting investigations related multiple types of accident/incident cases, such as: Medical Malpractice, Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Premises Liability, etc.

Surveillance

The impact of high quality documentation of a claimant’s activity cannot be understated. Few things can turn a case around as quickly as video proof that the claimant is lying about their injuries and/or limitations. Our Investigators have extensive experience in covert surveillance techniques as well as state of the art equipment. We are prepared and equipped to document the claimant’s activity both outdoors and indoors. This includes indoor areas with low light conditions.

Criminal Cases

We have handled defense investigative assignments in virtually every imaginable type of case in both State and Federal Courts. This includes misdemeanor, felony and major felony cases (Murder, RICO, Kidnapping, etc). We have served as lead defense Investigator in over twenty first degree murder cases. This includes numerous cases in which the State was seeking the death penalty. In those cases, we served as the lead defense Investigator on the mitigation team. We have also assisted in jury selection during these cases.

All cases begin by meeting with both the client and their attorney. All discovery material is then reviewed for both content, context and to identify what may be missing. Crime scenes are then visited analyzed and photographed to better understand their relationship to various law enforcement reports and witness accounts. All Category A witnesses are re-interviewed. Background checks are conducted on key witnesses in an effort to develop information that may impeach their credibility. When necessary, Personnel and Internal Affairs files of relevant law enforcement officers are reviewed for the same purpose.

Witness Location

This is a particular area of expertise at our company. As there was no private sector internet when we started performing investigations, it all began with good old fashioned “shoe leather” and a skill set was developed that was only enhanced by the addition of database technology. For the client, this means that when someone can’t be found by simply using a keyboard – we know what to do next. This is not a process that can be easily learned the other way around. We have access to an extensive array of database information that the general public has absolutely no access to. This information is supplemented by valuable contacts in key positions.

We are routinely tasked by insurance companies to locate and make contact with their former insured, in hopes of opening a line of communication between the two. We also accept assignments from law firms who have lost contact with a client. Obviously, in either case, it is difficult to effectively represent someone when you can’t get in touch with them.

Witness Statements

Obtaining a statement from a witness, when done properly, is an art form. Understanding the dynamics of liability issues is critical in covering the essential elements of a statement. This is yet another example of the value of engaging the services of a trained experienced Investigator. Our Investigators are also commissioned as a Notary Public. Therefore, we can take sworn statements – either recorded or in the form of a written affidavit.

Asset Search

We are able to identify various types of assets and liabilities related to a particular person or business. These include, but are not limited to, real property, motor vehicles, boats, planes and corporate level involvement in registered businesses. We also identify current and past, mortgages, bankruptcy filings, judgments and liens. While this will not tell you what they have in their savings account, safety deposit box or offshore accounts, it will provide a fairly accurate financial profile of the subject.