Criminal Defense Investigator

Terrance Private Investigator; Georgia; On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Firm‑provided equipment

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Terrance Private Investigator & Associates seeks an experienced Criminal Defense Investigator to support defense counsel on active cases across markets. Responsibilities include witness location, interviews, scene investigations, discovery analysis, and documentation that becomes part of the defense file.

The role requires availability outside standard hours, court deadlines, and travel between markets. Prior criminal defense exposure, a PI license, and strong writing are essential; bilingual

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of professional investigative experience, with criminal defense, public defender, or prosecution-side casework.
• Proven witness location and interview experience, including hostile, reluctant, and vulnerable witnesses.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct scene investigation, measurement, and photographic documentation.
• Experience reviewing discovery, police reports, and body‑worn camera footage, and identifying investigative gaps.
• Working knowledge of criminal procedure, rules of evidence, discovery obligations, and Brady material.
• Strong investigative writing; reports may be produced to the State and may be cross‑examined.
• Experience testifying at hearing or trial.
• Private Investigator license in the state of assignment, or registration under the agency license; firm can sponsor.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to pass a background check and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Preferred: prior law enforcement, public defender investigator, or capital defense experience.
• Preferred: Certified Criminal Defense Investigator credential, or ABA-aligned mitigation training
• Preferred: bilingual, particularly Spanish

Responsibilities

• Work at the direction of retained defense counsel and within attorney work product boundaries.
• Locate witnesses through research, skip tracing, canvassing, and field work.
• Conduct and document witness interviews, obtain statements when appropriate.
• Canvass scenes and neighborhoods for witnesses and evidence.
• Investigate and document scenes with photos, measurements, and diagrams.
• Preserve third‑party video and surveillance on urgent timelines.
• Review discovery, police reports, forensic reports, and jail calls for gaps.
• Collect records supporting the defense (medical, school, employment, etc.).
• Conduct background investigations on State witnesses and develop impeachment material.
• Conduct mitigation investigations for sentencing and capital matters.
• Meet with clients in custody at jails/correctional facilities.
• Assist counsel with subpoenas and trial prep.
• Prepare clear investigative reports and case chronologies.
• Maintain evidence integrity and chain of custody.
• Testify at hearing, motion, or trial as needed.
• Maintain compliance with privacy, security, and ethical standards.
• Communicate timely case updates with case managers and leadership.
• Safeguard confidential information and maintain discretion.

Skills

Criminal defense experience

Witness location & interviews

Scene investigation

Discovery analysis

Reporting/writing

Private Investigator license

Valid driver's license

Background check clearance

Bilingual Spanish

Tools

Investigative databases

Public records platforms

Case management software

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

About Us

Terrance Private Investigator & Associates is a leading private investigation firm serving clients nationwide. We provide professional investigative services for individuals, attorneys, businesses, and insurance professionals, specializing in infidelity investigations, criminal defense support, surveillance, background checks, asset searches, missing persons, and complex investigative assignments. Our reputation is built on integrity, discretion, professionalism, and delivering results that matter. Every investigation is handled with precision, thorough documentation, and a commitment to helping our clients get answers and uncover the truth.

As our firm continues to grow across multiple markets, we are seeking an experienced Criminal Defense Investigator to support defense counsel on active criminal matters. The State builds its case with a department behind it. The defense gets one investigator. That investigator finds the witness nobody canvassed, pulls the video before it overwrites, and reads the report closely enough to catch what it does not say. If you understand what is at stake when someone's liberty is on the line, and you have the skill and the discipline to do this work correctly, we would like to hear from you.

Position Overview

This is a full-time position supporting criminal defense casework across all firm markets. The Criminal Defense Investigator works at the direction of retained defense counsel, conducting witness location and interviews, scene investigation, discovery analysis, records collection, and mitigation investigation, and producing work product that becomes part of the defense case file. The role requires availability outside standard business hours, as witnesses keep their own hours and evidence has a shelf life. Court deadlines govern the work and travel within and between markets is required.

Required Qualifications, Experience & Licensing

• Minimum of 2 years of professional investigative experience, with demonstrated criminal defense, public defender, or prosecution-side casework
• Proven witness location and interview experience, including hostile, reluctant, and vulnerable witnesses
• Demonstrated ability to conduct scene investigation, measurement, and photographic documentation
• Experience reviewing discovery, police reports, and body‑worn camera footage, and identifying investigative gaps
• Working knowledge of criminal procedure, rules of evidence, discovery obligations, and Brady material
• Strong investigative writing; your reports may be produced to the State and you may be cross‑examined on them
• Experience testifying at hearing or trial
• Private Investigator license in the state of assignment, or registration under the agency license, current or obtainable prior to start. The firm will sponsor registration for qualified candidates.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Ability to pass a background check, obtain jail and correctional facility clearance, and maintain confidentiality at all times
• Preferred: prior law enforcement, public defender investigator, or capital defense experience
• Preferred: Certified Criminal Defense Investigator credential, or mitigation specialist training consistent with ABA guidelines
• Preferred: bilingual, particularly Spanish

Equipment & Resources

• Laptop, mobile device, and full access to the firm case management platform
• Investigative database and public records platform access
• Camera, audio recording, and scene documentation equipment
• Secure evidence storage and cloud infrastructure
• Mileage reimbursement or vehicle allowance for case travel

You are expected to maintain a personal vehicle in good mechanical condition and be capable of working in the field on short notice.

Core Responsibilities

• Work at the direction of retained defense counsel and within the scope of the attorney work product and attorney‑client privilege
• Locate witnesses through database research, skip tracing, canvassing, and field work, including witnesses the State did not find or did not pursue
• Conduct and document witness interviews; obtain recorded or signed statements where appropriate and lawful
• Canvass scenes and neighborhoods for witnesses, video sources, and physical evidence before it disappears
• Investigate and document scenes, including photographs, measurements, diagrams, lighting and sight line conditions, and timing
• Identify, request, and preserve third‑party video, including surveillance, doorbell, dash, and business camera footage on an urgent timeline
• Review discovery, police reports, body‑worn camera footage, forensic reports, and jail calls; identify inconsistencies, omissions, and investigative leads
• Collect records supporting the defense, including medical, school, employment, phone, and institutional records
• Conduct background investigation on State witnesses, including criminal history, bias, prior inconsistent statements, and impeachment material
• Conduct mitigation investigation, including client life history, family, social, educational, and institutional records, for sentencing and capital matters
• Meet with clients in custody at jails and correctional facilities
• Assist counsel with subpoena identification, service coordination, and trial preparation
• Prepare clear, comprehensive investigative reports and case chronologies for counsel
• Maintain evidence integrity and chain of custody on all physical and digital evidence
• Testify at hearing, motion, or trial regarding investigative findings
• Operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law, including state private security regulations and recording consent requirements
• Communicate timely case updates with case managers, counsel, and leadership throughout the investigation
• Safeguard privileged and confidential information and maintain the highest level of discretion and professionalism

Investigation Specialties

• Violent felonies
• Homicide
• Capital and life‑exposure cases
• Sexual assault
• Robbery and assault
• Drug offenses
• Weapons offenses
• White collar and fraud
• Juvenile matters
• Federal criminal defense
• Probation and parole revocation
• Post‑conviction and appellate investigation
• Habeas and innocence matters

Required Skills & Attributes

• Genuine interview skill, the ability to get a reluctant witness to talk without leading, pressuring, or creating impeachment material
• Command of the ethical and legal boundaries specific to defense investigation, including never suggesting law enforcement affiliation and never influencing testimony
• Strong analytical reasoning; able to read discovery and identify what is missing rather than only what is present
• Excellent written communication and investigative report writing
• Proficient with investigative databases, public records systems, case management software, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
• Skilled with camera, video, and audio documentation
• Ability to manage digital evidence, photographs, recordings, and case files securely
• Exceptional attention to detail and observational skill
• Emotional steadiness working with clients, families, victims, and witnesses in serious distress
• Intellectual honesty, willing to tell counsel a finding hurts the case rather than shade it
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while keeping counsel informed
• Strong time management and organization against firm court deadlines
• Calm under pressure and adaptable to changing investigative circumstances
• Reliable, dependable, and responsive in all communications
• Professional appearance and demeanour in court, custodial facilities, and the field
• Self‑motivated with a strong work ethic and commitment to delivering high‑quality investigative results

Physical Requirements

• Ability to conduct field investigation and canvassing on foot for extended periods
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions
• Ability to enter, clear security at, and work within jails and correctional facilities
• Ability to safely operate camera, audio, and scene documentation equipment
• Ability to drive for extended periods during case travel
• Ability to bend, kneel, and reach when documenting scenes and physical evidence
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and reliable transportation
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry investigative equipment or case materials weighing up to 30 pounds

What We Offer

• Consequential work, criminal defense investigation changes outcomes in a way most investigative work does not
• Competitive compensation based on investigative experience and qualifications
• Established relationships with defense counsel and steady criminal defense case flow
• Firm‑provided equipment, database access, and administrative support
• Comprehensive case briefings with clearly defined objectives
• Guidance and support from an experienced leadership team
• Quality assurance reviews and constructive feedback to maintain investigative excellence
• Advancement track within a growing multi‑market firm
• A professional environment where investigative quality is the point

Compensation Structure

Compensation is commensurate with investigative experience, criminal defense background, credentials, and case complexity. Rates are discussed during the interview process. Mileage reimbursement or vehicle allowance is provided for case travel.

Safety & Professional Standards

The Criminal Defense Investigator handles privileged information and works on matters where a person's liberty is at stake, and is expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, legal compliance, and ethical conduct while representing Terrance Private Investigator & Associates. This includes full compliance with applicable state private security licensing requirements, attorney‑client privilege and work product protections, recording consent law, company safety policies, confidentiality and data security protocols, evidence handling and chain of custody standards, and our professional code of ethics. Investigators must never represent themselves as law enforcement, never attempt to influence a witness's testimony, and must immediately report to counsel and firm leadership any safety concern, witness contact issue, or circumstance that could compromise the defense or expose the investigator to allegations of tampering.

Equal Opportunity

Terrance Private Investigator & Associates is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. All applicants will be considered based on qualifications, experience, and professional merit.