Criminal Defense Investigations

A strong defense depends on facts. Investigators working for the prosecution are building the state's case. A defense investigator looks at the same events independently, follows up on what was missed, and gives counsel an accurate picture of the evidence for and against the client.

Michael Hebert Investigations supports criminal defense attorneys and the families of people facing charges across Acadiana and Louisiana. We take every matter case by case. We start with a confidential conversation about the charges, the evidence, and what counsel needs, and we tell you honestly where an investigation can help.

Michael Hebert Investigations | Michael "Higgins" Hebert, Licensed Louisiana Private Investigator, PI License #7047-021209-LA | Lafayette, LA

Who We Work With

• Private criminal defense attorneys: from misdemeanors to serious felonies
• Public defenders and appointed counsel: extra investigative capacity when caseloads are heavy
• Defendants and their families: we coordinate with the defense attorney so the work supports the legal strategy and is directed by counsel

Defense Investigation Services

Every case is different, so the scope is set with counsel. Services can include:

• Case and discovery review: Reviewing police reports, statements, body-camera and dash-camera footage, and other discovery to find gaps, inconsistencies, and leads worth following.
• Witness location and interviews: Finding and interviewing witnesses, including people the police never contacted, and documenting what they say.
• Scene investigation and documentation: Photographing, measuring, and diagramming the scene, and checking lines of sight, lighting, distances, and timing against what has been reported.
• Timeline and alibi verification: Reconstructing events from records, receipts, phone and location information provided through counsel, and other sources, and testing the timeline in the state's case.
• Video and surveillance canvass: Identifying businesses, homes, and traffic cameras that may have recorded the event, and moving quickly before footage is overwritten.
• Social Media Witness Canvass: Searching public posts, comment threads, and videos for people who saw, filmed, or posted about the incident.
• Background research: Lawful research on witnesses, including prior statements, public records, and court records, to help counsel assess credibility.
• Records research: Locating public records, court files, and other documents relevant to the defense.
• Trial preparation support: Organizing findings, preparing witness summaries, and helping counsel get ready for hearings and trial.

What You Receive

• Regular updates to counsel as the investigation develops
• Written interview summaries and, where appropriate, signed or recorded statements
• Photographs, diagrams, and documentation from the scene
• A written report of what we did, what we found, and suggested next steps

Suicide & Death Investigations

Losing someone is hard enough. When a death leaves serious questions, including a death ruled a suicide that the family has doubts about, it can help to have someone independent look carefully at what is known. We provide independent reviews of deaths for families and for the attorneys who represent them.

We take each matter case by case. We start with a confidential conversation about what happened and what you hope to learn. We'll tell you honestly whether an independent review is likely to help.

Depending on the case, the work can include:

• Report review: Careful review of police, coroner, and autopsy reports, obtained lawfully through the family or counsel.
• Timeline reconstruction: Piecing together the person's final days and hours from records, accounts, and other available information.
• Witness interviews: Speaking with people who saw, spoke with, or were with the person before the death.
• Scene documentation: Photographing, measuring, and documenting the location where appropriate and permitted.
• Digital and social media review: Review of public online content, including posts, comments, and messages that were made public, related to the person and the events.
• Written findings report: A clear written report of what we reviewed, what we found, open questions, and suggested next steps.

What we don't do: We don't replace law enforcement or the coroner, and we don't determine cause or manner of death medically. Those determinations belong to the coroner and medical professionals. Our role is to gather and organize facts, find gaps or inconsistencies, and give the family and counsel a clear picture they can take to the proper authorities or medical experts.

We handle every matter with discretion and respect for the person who died and for those who loved them.

How We Work: Ethics and Limits

• Licensed and accountable. We work under Louisiana private investigator licensing, PI License #7047-021209-LA.
• Directed by counsel. When a defense attorney is involved, we work at counsel's direction and report to counsel. This keeps the investigation tied to the legal strategy and can help protect the work as attorney work product.
• Lawful methods only. No pretexting, no hacking, no fake accounts, and no access to private profiles or closed groups. Records are obtained lawfully, through public sources or through the client or counsel.
• Honest witness contact. We identify ourselves and who we work for. We don't pressure, coach, or offer anything to witnesses, and we don't contact represented parties or alleged victims except as counsel directs and the law allows.
• Facts, not conclusions for hire. We report what we find, including information that doesn't help the client, so counsel can make informed decisions.
• Confidential. Case information is shared only with the client and counsel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a family hire you directly, or does it have to go through the attorney?
Families often make the first call, and we're glad to talk with you. Before investigative work begins, we coordinate with the defense attorney so the work fits the legal strategy and is directed by counsel. If there's no attorney yet, we can still have a confidential conversation about the situation.

How much does a defense investigation cost?
Every case is different, so we quote case by case after a confidential conversation about the charges, the evidence, and the scope of work counsel needs.

Will you only report information that helps my client?
No. We report everything we find, accurately. Information that hurts the case is just as important for counsel to know early, so they can prepare for it.

How early should we bring in an investigator?
As early as possible. Video gets overwritten, witnesses move or forget details, social media posts get deleted, and scenes change. Early work gives counsel the most options.

Can you tell us whether a death was really a suicide?
No. We can't make a medical determination of cause or manner of death, and we don't replace the coroner or law enforcement. We can carefully review the available reports, reconstruct the timeline, interview people, and document what we find in a written report. That report can help the family and counsel decide whether to raise questions with the coroner, request further review, or consult an independent medical expert. Each case is handled case by case, starting with a confidential conversation.

Request a Confidential Consultation

Whether you're defense counsel or a family member looking for answers, call or email to talk through your situation in confidence.

Call: 337-258-3392
Email: mikehebert.257@gmail.com
Web: www.hebertinvestigations.com

Michael Hebert Investigations | Michael "Higgins" Hebert, Licensed Louisiana Private Investigator, PI License #7047-021209-LA | Lafayette, Louisiana