Working With Us
Every engagement starts with a conversation. Reach out by phone, email, or the contact form to set up a time to discuss your matter. Consultations are free. From there, the scope of work is agreed on before anything begins.
Liberty Investigations works with attorneys, law firms, federal defender offices, innocence organizations, civil rights organizations, other nonprofit and justice organizations, mitigation specialists, and with individuals, families, and businesses on a selective basis. How an engagement is structured depends on the matter and who is directing the work.
Engagement Process
Engagements are documented before work begins, whether through a Liberty Investigations agreement, an agency contract, or a memorandum of understanding, depending on what fits the client. For legal matters, we work at the direction of counsel and operate as an agent of counsel for the duration of the engagement. Scope is set at the outset based on the matter, and it can expand as the investigation develops. A single interview can open a line of inquiry no one anticipated, so counsel and investigator should expect to revisit scope and priorities as new facts come in.
Confidentiality and Work Product
When we work at the direction of an attorney, all work product is attorney-client privileged and attorney work product. Nothing is disclosed to any third party without attorney authorization, except as required by law. When we work directly for an individual, the information provided and the results of the investigation are kept confidential. Disclosure to a third party requires written authorization or a court order.
Rates and Billing
Rates are quoted during the consultation and stated in the engagement agreement. Work is billed hourly in fifteen-minute increments. Mileage and necessary case expenses are billed separately and itemized on each invoice. There are no hidden fees. Expenses that may come up, such as court copies, database charges, and travel, are discussed during the consultation so nothing on the invoice is a surprise. Invoices are issued monthly and fully itemized. All fees are subject to Texas sales tax as required by law, except for court-appointed and government-funded matters.
Retainers
Most engagements begin with an agreed initial retainer applied toward fees and expenses as work proceeds. We work much the way attorneys do in this respect. As an investigation develops, scope may expand and additional retainer may be required. Any unused retainer is fully refundable at the close of the matter.
Minimums and Standby
Surveillance carries a four-hour minimum per trip. Standby service covers situations where we are asked to be available but not actively on site. It is offered at a discounted hourly rate, ready to proceed on your instruction. Court appearances, now generally handled by Zoom, are billable time.
Flat Rates
Flat-rate pricing is sometimes available for certain background checks or stationary surveillance where the parameters are specific and predictable. For most surveillance and research, the variables are too unpredictable to set a flat rate fairly. We bill hourly and often work in stages: start with one piece, see what it produces, then decide on the next.
Court-Appointed, CJA, and Funding
Our base hourly rate is above CJA and court-appointed rates. We consider court-appointed and CJA matters on a selective basis, depending on current workload and funding. In some matters, counsel can request a higher hourly rate or additional funding, which can make an engagement workable. Post-service billing is available in some situations depending on the client and the funding arrangement, though not on pretrial matters. Contact us to discuss what fits your matter.
Results
We are committed to an honest and prudent investigation and bring our full expertise to every matter. Specific results or favorable outcomes cannot be guaranteed. An investigator cannot make a witness say something, cannot make a record exist that does not, and cannot control what surveillance captures on a given day. The work will be thorough and careful.
Payment
We invoice through Zoho Books. Payment can be made online by credit or debit card or ACH bank transfer, or by cash, check, or cashier's check.
Getting Started
Reach out by phone, email, or the contact form to set up a consultation. Consultations are always free.