Private Investigators in a Phoenix Violent Crime Defense
The police build a case; they rarely look for what helps you. A defense private investigator finds the witnesses, the bias, and the motive the State overlooked.
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What does a defense private investigator do?
Quick answer: A defense investigator independently reinvestigates the case, locating and interviewing witnesses the police ignored, uncovering the accuser’s motive and bias, canvassing for video, and documenting the scene, building the evidence the prosecution never gathered.
On This Page
Both Sides
Former Prosecutors · Law Enforcement · Public Defenders
When you call Tamou Law Group, you reach a firm that handles criminal defense exclusively, with serious experience defending violent crime cases across Arizona. Our team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers, so we know exactly how the State builds these cases, and where they fall apart.
At many large firms, the name on the building is a marketing figurehead, you rarely get them on the phone and your case goes to a junior associate. When you hire Tamou Law Group, your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou.
The Police Investigate for the Prosecution
Once they pick a suspect, they stop looking for contrary evidence.
Police investigate to support the charge, not to test it. Once they decide who to arrest, exculpatory leads go uninvestigated: the neighbor who saw the other person swing first, the video no one pulled, the reason the accuser wanted to lie. A defense investigator does the work the State did not, and that work often wins cases.
What a Defense Investigator Uncovers
The evidence that turns a one-sided report into a real defense.
- Favorable witnesses, people who saw what really happened and were never interviewed.
- Motive and bias, the accuser’s reason to fabricate or exaggerate.
- Video and records, footage and documents the police overlooked.
- Impeachment material, prior inconsistent statements and criminal history that destroy credibility.
- Background, on the accuser and key witnesses, that reframes the whole case.
Fueling the Defenses That Win
The investigator’s work is the raw material for trial.
Everything a jury needs to doubt the State starts with investigation. The witnesses, bias, and inconsistencies our investigator finds fuel the credibility and self-defense defenses that win violent cases, and the earlier they start, the more they find before it disappears.
How the Investigator Works With Your Defense
Under attorney direction, and protected.
A defense investigator works under the direction of your attorneys, which helps protect their work, and focuses it on the defenses that matter. They canvass the scene, locate and interview witnesses (documenting statements), pull public records, and preserve evidence, then testify or provide the material for cross-examination.
The Cases Where This Is Decisive
Nearly every contested violent case.
An investigator matters in nearly every contested violent case, especially assault and aggravated assault cases that come down to one person’s word against another.
The Other Experts & Specialists We Bring
A strong violent-crime defense layers several specialists together, part of our full Phoenix violent crimes defense:
The Experts We Bring to Violent Crime Cases
Violent-crime cases are won on the forensics, the use-of-force analysis, and the real story. We bring the specialists who provide it, click any to see how.
Use-of-Force & Self-Defense Experts
Justification
Reconstruct the threat you faced and show the jury why your use of force was reasonable and justified.
Forensic Pathologists
Cause & Manner of Death
Independently review autopsy and injury findings to challenge causation and the State’s theory.
Crime-Scene Reconstructionists
What Really Happened
Rebuild the scene, trajectories, and sequence to test whether the State’s story is even possible.
DNA & Forensic Analysts
Physical Evidence
Re-examine DNA, blood, and trace evidence, and expose contamination and overstated conclusions.
Digital Forensics Examiners
Video & Phones
Analyze surveillance, cell-phone, and social-media evidence that shows who the aggressor really was.
Private Investigators
Witnesses & Motive
Find the witnesses and bias the police overlooked, and the motive behind a false or exaggerated account.
Awards & Recognition
Our recognition for Phoenix violent crime defense is independently verified, click any award to confirm it:
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Elite Lawyer 2026 – Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers – Southwest
- National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
Together, these place Tamou Law Group among the best Phoenix violent crime lawyers, led by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors.
Phoenix Violent Crime Defense FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
Why do I need my own investigator?
Because the police investigate to support the charge, not to help you. A defense investigator finds the favorable witnesses and evidence they ignored.
Can an investigator find witnesses the police missed?
Yes, routinely. Canvassing the scene and following up leads often turns up people who saw the other person start it.
How does an investigator expose a false accusation?
By documenting the accuser’s motive, bias, prior inconsistent statements, and history, the raw material for destroying credibility at trial.
Is it too late if charges are already filed?
No, but earlier is far better, witnesses and video disappear. Call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
Does the investigator work with the attorneys?
Yes, closely and under attorney direction, so their work is protected and aimed at the defenses that matter.
Can the investigator’s findings be used at trial?
Yes. They can testify, and their work provides the material for cross-examining the State’s witnesses.
What does it cost?
It varies by case, and we scope it to what your defense needs. We discuss it in your free consultation.
Who handles my case?
A full team of experienced attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou. Call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
Key Takeaways
- Police investigate for the prosecution; a defense investigator works for you.
- They find favorable witnesses, motive, bias, and overlooked video.
- Their work fuels the credibility and self-defense defenses that win cases.
- They work under attorney direction, which helps protect their findings.
- Start early, witnesses and video disappear fast. Call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
What Clients Say About Tamou Law
Real Google reviews from clients we have defended across Phoenix and Maricopa County. Every review is from a criminal defense client, never padded with non-legal work.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.