Criminal Defense Investigator

Suzuki Law Offices; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Suzuki Law Offices in Phoenix is seeking an experienced In-House Criminal Defense Investigator to join our team. The ideal candidate will locate witnesses, gather records, interview individuals, and support attorneys throughout investigations.

You will work independently with close communication to attorneys and staff, manage multiple cases, document findings clearly, and adapt to deadlines in a fast-paced criminal defense practice. Travel locally for fieldwork as needed.

Qualifications

• Significant investigative experience, preferably with criminal defense attorneys or a criminal defense firm.
• A solid understanding of the criminal process and procedure.
• Proven ability to conduct effective witness interviews and investigations.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to locate individuals, records, documents, and other information efficiently.
• Familiarity with public records, investigative databases, and social media research.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to document findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough investigations in support of criminal defense cases from intake through resolution.
• Locate, identify, and interview witnesses, parties, and other individuals relevant to a case.
• Serve witnesses and parties as needed and document all investigative efforts.
• Obtain records, reports, documents, video footage, and other evidence from various sources.
• Utilize databases, public records, social media, and other resources to locate information.
• Research and document social media accounts and publicly available sources for defense relevance.
• Review and document digital/media extractions when applicable.
• Draft investigative statements, reports, summaries, and documentation for attorney review.
• Assist attorneys with on-scene investigations including photos, measurements, and scene docs.
• Identify and document potential evidence; canvass witnesses and conduct interviews.
• Maintain organized investigative files and communicate findings promptly.
• Travel locally for field investigations as required.

Skills

Significant investigative experience

Criminal defense knowledge

Witness interview techniques

Records retrieval & data gathering

Public records & databases familiarity

Excellent written/verbal communication

Independent work with team liaison

Time management under deadlines

Tools

Microsoft Office

General computer applications

Job description

Suzuki Law Offices is an established and respected Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law Firm seeking an experienced, professional, and highly motivated In-House Criminal Defense Investigator to join our team.

The ideal candidate will have significant investigative experience working with criminal defense attorneys or law firms and a strong understanding of the criminal justice process, investigative procedures, and the challenges faced by criminal defense counsel. This position requires a resourceful investigator who can quickly locate people, obtain records and evidence, conduct thorough interviews, and uncover information that may be critical to a client's defense.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently while maintaining close communication with attorneys and support staff. This is a fast-paced position where attention to detail, sound judgment, strong communication skills, confidentiality, and the ability to meet demanding deadlines are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough investigations in support of criminal defense cases from intake through resolution.
• Locate, identify, and interview witnesses, parties, and other individuals relevant to a case.
• Serve witnesses and parties as needed and document all investigative efforts.
• Obtain records, reports, documents, video footage, and other evidence from governmental agencies, institutions, businesses, and other sources.
• Utilize investigative databases, public records, social media, and other appropriate resources to efficiently locate individuals, information, and records.
• Research and document social media accounts and other publicly available sources for information relevant to a client's defense.
• Review and document information obtained from cell phone, computer, video, and other digital/media extractions, when applicable.
• Draft clear, accurate, and professional investigative statements, reports, summaries, and documentation for attorney review.
• Assist attorneys with on-scene investigations , including:
• Photographs and video documentation
• Measurements and scene documentation
• Locating and obtaining existing surveillance or security footage
• Identifying and documenting potential evidence
• Witness canvassing and interviews
• Other investigative assignments necessary to develop and defend a case
• Maintain organized and accurate investigative files and documentation.
• Communicate investigative findings clearly and promptly to attorneys and management.
• Protect confidential client information and maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discretion.
• Manage multiple cases and investigative assignments while meeting strict deadlines.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities in a high-volume, deadline-driven criminal defense practice .

Qualifications & Skills

• Significant investigative experience , preferably working directly with criminal defense attorneys or within a criminal defense law firm.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of criminal process and procedure .
• Demonstrated ability to conduct effective witness interviews and investigations.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to locate individuals, records, documents, and other relevant information efficiently.
• Familiarity with public records, investigative databases, social media research, and other investigative resources.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document investigative findings.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with attorneys and legal support staff.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet hard deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and general computer applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and conduct field investigations as required.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is resourceful, confident, professional, persistent, and solutions-oriented . The right candidate understands that successful criminal defense investigations often require thinking outside the box, asking the right questions, following leads, and pursuing information others may overlook.

You should be comfortable working under pressure, managing competing priorities, and taking ownership of investigative assignments from start to finish.

If you are an experienced investigator who is passionate about criminal defense and wants to play a meaningful role in helping attorneys build strong defenses for their clients, we want to hear from you.

Why Join Suzuki Law Offices?

At Suzuki Law Offices , you will have the opportunity to work directly with an experienced criminal defense team and play an important role in the preparation and defense of cases. We value professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Position: Criminal Defense Investigator
Employment Type: Full-Time

Suzuki Law Offices is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

At Suzuki Law Offices, our background as former prosecutors gives clients a meaningful advantage. Having handled cases from the government's side, our attorneys understand how charges are evaluated, how evidence is built, and where cases are most vulnerable. That insight allows us to anticipate strategies, challenge weak points, and make informed decisions at every stage of a criminal case. Clients trust us because we don't rely on guesswork; we rely on real-world experience gained at both the state and federal levels.