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Investigator and Expert Program
ABOUT
The Investigators and Experts Program is funded through annual grants to Wayne County from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) and is intended to ensure compliance with the MIDC's Standard 3. This standard requires assigned criminal defense counsel to conduct an independent investigation of the charges and offense as promptly as practicable, and, when appropriate, request funds to retain an investigator to assist the client's defense. Additionally, counsel shall request the assistance of experts where it is reasonably necessary to prepare the defense and rebut the prosecution's case. Counsel has a continuing duty to evaluate a case for appropriate defense investigations or expert assistance, pursuant to Standard 3.The funds and the process for obtaining these defense services are administered by an Administrator, who must be a licensed attorney. The process delegates approval of defense requests to the Administrator from the traditional statutory authority exercised by the judiciary. The Administrator manages the process, including approval of requests, development of investigator and expert resources, collection of data, creation of benchmarks and approval of payment for services rendered.
Investigator and Expert Program Policies
Important!
Note: Use of private investigation is mandatory for all Tier 1, Tier 2 & Tier 3 severity case assignments; to opt-out you must provide adequate justification in order to remain compliant with our policies.
IDSD IE Core Policies, Feb 2024
IDSD Standardized Travel Policy and Procedure
Locating an Investigator or Expert
Expert witnesses are available to all criminal public defenders upon approved request by an IDSD Investigator/Expert Program Administrator; this is inclusive of direct felony appointed attorneys, MAACS attorneys, Neighborhood Defense Services - Detroit (NDSD) defenders, or retained attorneys with an indigency order for their client. Private investigators are available to all with the exception of NDSD as NDSD investigation is funded separately.
- Wayne County IDSD list of approved investigators
- Learn more about our investigators' backgrounds here: list of investigator bios
Wayne County IDSD expert reference list
REQUEST AN INVESTIGATOR OR EXPERT
To request investigative or expert services* or to opt out**, please click the button below.
Attorney Request for Investigator/Expert Services
NEED HELP? Click here to view our instructional video.
*attorneys should contact the prospective investigator and/or expert to ensure availability and their ability to perform the needed services before submitting an online request.
**Use of private investigation is mandatory for all Tier 1, Tier 2 & Tier 3 severity case assignments; to opt-out you must provide adequate justification in order to remain compliant with our policies. Consistent failure to comply with the IDSD investigation policy may impact future eligibility for Tier 1, Tier 2 & Tier 3 case assignments.
Resources for Investigators and Experts
Click below to view our latest Wayne County IDSD Investigator & Expert Informational Session, covering IDSD policy updates, service requests, billing, communicating with attorneys, modifications to vendor profiles and travel policy highlights.
Investigator & Expert Info Session Feb, 2024
If you would like to join the Wayne County IDSD list of investigators and experts, please click the link below to apply.
Apply to be an Investigator/Expert
Attorneys: for sample engagement letters, please click below
CONTACT US
Contact the Investigator and Expert Administrator:
BY EMAIL: inv.exp.requests@waynecounty.com (Administrator will make every effort to respond within one day)
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