Defense Investigation · Tennessee Statewide
A Criminal Defense Investigator Who Knows How Cases Are Built
Delator Group provides independent criminal defense investigations for Tennessee attorneys and their clients. Our investigators document scenes, locate and interview witnesses, verify alibis and research accusers, then deliver court-ready reports and testimony. Leadership comes from military and federal law enforcement, so we understand how the prosecution's case was assembled and where to test it.
- Military and federal law enforcement leadership
- Witness, scene and alibi investigation
- Court-ready reports and investigator testimony
- 95Tennessee counties covered
- 70+Years of military and law enforcement experience in leadership
- 24/7Availability for urgent defense matters
- 75+Designated investigative specialties
Quick answer
What does a criminal defense investigator do?
A criminal defense investigator works for the defense attorney to independently test the prosecution's case. That includes photographing and measuring scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses, verifying alibis, researching the backgrounds of witnesses and accusers, and preparing reports and testimony. The goal is facts the police file may not contain.
01The Defense Deserves the Truth
Why Independent Defense Investigation Matters
By the time charges are filed, the state has usually had weeks or months with investigators, crime labs and subpoena power. The defense often starts with a discovery packet and a client's account. An experienced criminal defense investigator closes that gap by going back to the scene, finding the people police did not talk to, and checking whether the official timeline actually holds together.
Evidence fades quickly. Surveillance video is overwritten, witnesses move, and scenes change. Bringing an investigator in early gives your attorney the best chance of preserving facts that could support a motion, a negotiation or a trial defense.
02Our Background
Investigators Who Understand Law Enforcement Methods
Delator Group's leadership brings more than 70 years of combined military and law enforcement experience, including federal law enforcement backgrounds. We know how investigative reports are written, how interviews are conducted and where procedure tends to break down. That insider perspective helps defense attorneys spot gaps, inconsistencies and assumptions in the state's case.
Our role is not to argue the case. It is to find and document facts accurately, whether they help or not, so counsel can make informed decisions. Knowing the bad facts early is often as valuable as finding the good ones.
- Review of police reports, body-cam and discovery for gaps
- Scene photography, measurement and sightline documentation
- Location and interviews of witnesses the state did not contact
- Background research on witnesses and accusers
03Core Work
Witness Interviews and Alibi Verification
Witness work is the center of most defense investigations. We locate witnesses who have moved or changed numbers, approach them professionally, and document what they say through recorded or transcribed statements when appropriate. An investigator, rather than the attorney, conducts the interview so that if a witness later changes their story, someone other than counsel can testify about the original statement.
For alibi defenses, we look for independent corroboration: receipts, time-stamped video, location data the client lawfully controls, and third-party witnesses. We report what we find, including any gaps, so your attorney can decide how to proceed.
04Doing It Right
Lawful Defense Investigation Under Tennessee Rules
Our investigators are licensed through the Tennessee Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission under the Private Investigators Licensing and Regulatory Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-201 et seq.). They do not trespass, identify themselves as law enforcement, or obtain phone records or bank records without legal process. When protected records matter, we help counsel identify what exists so it can be pursued by subpoena.
Tennessee is generally a one-party-consent state for recording conversations (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-601), which means an investigator who is part of a conversation may usually record it. We avoid any contact that could be seen as witness tampering or that could conflict with a court order, and we follow the defense attorney's direction on every sensitive contact, including alleged victims.
05Case Types
From DUI and Misdemeanors to Serious Felonies
We support defense counsel across the full range of Tennessee criminal matters. In DUI cases, we document the stop location, lighting, road conditions and witness observations. In misdemeanor cases, a focused investigation can be proportionate and affordable. In felony cases, including violent crimes, drug offenses and fraud, we can work for months alongside the defense team through trial.
We also assist appointed counsel whose investigative expenses may be approved through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. We can structure scopes and documentation to fit that process; the attorney should confirm current funding requirements with the court.
- DUI and traffic-related offenses
- Assault, domestic and stalking allegations
- Drug, theft and fraud charges
- Homicide and other serious felonies
06How We Work
Direct Communication and Up-Front Pricing
Defense attorneys communicate directly with the assigned investigator and with leadership, not through a dispatcher. Cases are matched to investigators based on the skills the matter requires, whether that is scene documentation, witness work or digital open-source research. Work is scoped and priced up front, so there is no open retainer draining in the background.
Because Delator Group operates in all 95 Tennessee counties, one team can follow a case from a Davidson County arrest to witnesses in Shelby, Knox or Hamilton County without handing it off to strangers.
Services
Criminal Defense Investigation Services
- DUI Defense InvestigationScene, timeline and witness work to test the traffic stop, officer observations and the circumstances of testing in Tennessee DUI and implied consent cases.Learn more
- Misdemeanor DefenseFocused, cost-conscious investigation for misdemeanor charges, often centered on locating a key witness or securing business video before it is overwritten.Learn more
- Felony DefenseComprehensive investigation for serious felony charges, including scene documentation, witness interviews, background research and hands-on support from arraignment through trial.Learn more
- AOC Appointed Counsel SupportInvestigation structured for appointed defense counsel working through Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts expense approval, rate and documentation requirements.Learn more
- Witness Background ChecksResearch on prosecution witnesses and accusers to identify credibility issues, prior statements, relationships and relevant public records for your defense.Learn more
- Surveillance and Counter-SurveillanceLawful surveillance to document facts relevant to the defense, and counter-surveillance support when a client believes they are being watched.Learn more
- Skip Tracing for WitnessesLocating witnesses who have moved, changed numbers or become difficult to reach, so they can be interviewed by our team and, if needed, served.Learn more
- Subpoena ServiceStatewide service of defense subpoenas with documented attempts and court-ready affidavits, handled through our integrated Tennessee process serving division and field team.Learn more
How it works
How a Defense Investigation Works
- 01
Attorney consultation
We meet with defense counsel to review charges, discovery and the defense theory, then agree on priorities, deadlines and a scoped, up-front price. We work at the direction of the attorney throughout.
- 02
Preserve perishable evidence
Early steps focus on what can disappear: business surveillance video, scene conditions, and witnesses who may move. We document and preserve these before the trail goes cold.
- 03
Investigate the case
Investigators locate and interview witnesses, verify alibis, photograph and measure scenes, and research backgrounds. Attorneys receive regular updates and can redirect the work as new facts emerge.
- 04
Report to counsel
Findings are delivered as written chronological reports, recorded or transcribed statements, scene media with preserved metadata and background packages, organized for motions, plea negotiation or trial.
- 05
Trial support
We assist with last-minute witness locates, subpoena service, real-time investigative support during trial and investigator testimony whenever the defense needs someone on the stand.
Compare
Common defense needs and what our investigators deliver
| Defense need | Investigative work | Deliverable to counsel |
|---|---|---|
| Contest the state's timeline | Scene visit, sightlines, independent video search | Scene photos and measurements, timeline memo |
| Support an alibi | Corroborating witnesses, receipts, time-stamped video | Alibi verification report with sources |
| Test a witness's credibility | Background research and interview | Background package and recorded statement |
| Find an uncooperative witness | Skip tracing and field locate | Verified address and service of subpoena |
| Prepare for trial | Re-interviews, last-minute locates, courtroom support | Updated reports and investigator affidavit |
Statewide coverage
Defense Investigations in Every Tennessee County
Criminal cases rarely stay in one place. A client arrested in Nashville may have witnesses in Clarksville and a key location in Murfreesboro. Delator Group supports defense attorneys across West Tennessee, including Memphis and Shelby County; Middle Tennessee, from Davidson and Rutherford to Montgomery and Williamson counties; and East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities. Our investigators work in general sessions and criminal courts statewide under one centralized standard for reporting.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why does a defense attorney need a criminal defense investigator?
Attorneys need facts gathered independently of the police file, and they generally should not be the ones interviewing witnesses, because they could become witnesses themselves. An investigator can visit scenes, locate and interview witnesses and later testify about what was said. That frees counsel to focus on legal strategy, motions and trial preparation.
Can I hire a defense investigator directly, or must my lawyer do it?
In most cases, it is best for your attorney to retain the investigator, or for the engagement to run at the attorney's direction. This helps keep the investigator's work within the defense team and supports attorney work product protections. If you contact us directly, we will coordinate with your lawyer before starting any substantive work.
Will you interview the alleged victim or prosecution witnesses?
Defense investigators may generally contact witnesses, including prosecution witnesses, who are willing to talk. Any contact is made only at the direction of defense counsel, professionally and without pressure. If a no-contact order or bond condition applies, we follow it strictly. Your attorney will decide whether and how to approach sensitive witnesses.
Is it legal to record witness interviews in Tennessee?
Tennessee is generally a one-party-consent state under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-601, so a participant in a conversation may usually record it. Whether to record, and whether to disclose recording to the witness, is a strategic choice for counsel. We follow the attorney's direction and document how each statement was taken.
Can an investigator get phone records or bank records for my defense?
Not without legal process. Private investigators cannot lawfully obtain phone, bank or similar protected records on their own. What we can do is help your attorney identify which records likely exist and where, so they can be requested through discovery or a subpoena approved by the court.
Do you work with appointed counsel on AOC cases?
Yes. We support appointed defense counsel whose investigative expenses may be approved through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. We can scope work and prepare documentation to fit that process. Counsel should confirm current approval requirements and rates with the court before work begins.
How early should a defense investigator be involved?
As early as possible. Business surveillance video is often overwritten within days or weeks, scenes change, and witnesses move or forget details. Bringing in a criminal defense investigator soon after arrest or indictment gives your attorney the best chance to preserve evidence that supports motions, negotiations or trial.
Are your investigators licensed in Tennessee?
Yes. Delator Group investigators are licensed through the Tennessee Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission under the Private Investigators Licensing and Regulatory Act. Our leadership includes veterans of the U.S. military and federal law enforcement. You can verify any Tennessee investigator's license, and our guide walks through how to do it.
How much does a criminal defense investigation cost?
Cost depends on the charge, the number of witnesses, travel and how much scene and research work is needed. We scope the investigation with the attorney and quote it up front rather than billing against an open retainer. Our pricing page and cost guide outline the main factors.
Photography: Jesse Collins · Scott Graham · Giammarco Boscaro (Unsplash License). Last reviewed .
Delator Group Private Investigators
Put an Investigator on the Defense Team
Talk directly with our leadership about the charges, the discovery and the timeline. We will scope the investigation, quote it up front and start preserving the facts your client's defense depends on.