California’s domestic violence laws apply to same sex intimate partners, whether or not the couple remains together. Because of the very nature of these intimate relationships, disputes between intimate partners are often highly charged and emotional. Many times, a simple argument can end up taking a turn for the worse. Sometimes there are witnesses involved in a GLBT domestic abuse charge, but because the community itself may want to preserve the myth that there are no problems in their relationships, many times there are not. A private investigator works directly with the defendant’s attorney and gathers information to help turn a potential “he said, she said” into a defendable case supported by evidence. The gay friendly attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm will ensure that an investigator who has experience working with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people is assigned to such a case in order to provide the most comfortable experience to a client who is already in an uncomfortable situation.

Many private investigators are retired law enforcement officers and therefore have an intricate understanding about how the criminal justice system operates. They not only have personal connections to other law enforcement officials, but they also have first-hand knowledge about police procedures. This means that an investigator knows how police are trained to think and gather information during an intimate partner abuse investigation. This “inside information” can be particularly helpful to the defense, especially since the investigator works closely with the criminal defense lawyer and knows what evidence can destroy the prosecution’s case.

Because of their training and backgrounds, private investigators know how to gather helpful information and are able to collect evidence that an attorney may be unable to locate. He or she will take photos of the scene as well as of any injuries that were sustained in the dispute. The investigator will interview everyone involved in the incident, including any witnesses who were either present or who have intimate knowledge about the violent history (if any) of the parties involved. He or she will often gather the relevant medical records of both parties. Additionally, a private investigator will examine the criminal history of both the accused and his or her accuser.

The defendant’s lawyer then analyzes the evidence and responds appropriately. Depending on the evidence that he or she receives from the private investigator, sometimes the attorney may be able to convince the prosecutor to either reduce or dismiss the charges. The experienced attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm take the information that they receive from their investigator to help them devise the best possible defense. They then use that information to make sure that the defendant receives a fair trial.

A good criminal defense attorney needs to know all the information possible about the event that led to his or her client’s arrest (even when it’s potentially damaging) in order to devise the best defense. An experienced attorney will have established relationships with several private investigators and, in a same sex domestic violence case, will hire one who has experience dealing with the sensitive issues that coincide with same sex intimate partner violence cases in order to obtain all of that information in the most comfortable setting possible. Even a great attorney can’t successfully defend a case without being aware of all the facts.

Because homosexual’s are treated differently under the legal system, one who is accused of an intimate partner violence crime must hire an attorney who specializes in California domestic violence law, who has experience dealing with the LGBT community and who understands their special needs and concerns. The well-qualified criminal defense lawyers at the Kavinoky Law Firm have successfully defended countless individuals charged with intimate partner abuse crimes. They are devoted to protecting their client’s rights and to making sure that every client is treated with respect and compassion. Contact them today for a free consultation and for the best representation.