Most people assume private investigators only work for the prosecution side — catching cheating spouses or tracking down missing persons. What far fewer people know is that a skilled PI is often one of the most valuable assets a criminal defense attorney can have.
I recently served as the defense investigator in a Colorado criminal case involving Carrie Halford. While Ms. Halford was ultimately convicted, that case is a clear example of the work a criminal defense investigator does — and why it matters deeply, regardless of outcome.
What Is a Criminal Defense Investigator?
A criminal defense investigator works on behalf of the defense team — not the prosecution. We are hired by defense attorneys to independently investigate the facts of a case, locate and interview witnesses, gather evidence, and identify weaknesses in the government’s case.
In Colorado and across the country, every defendant has a constitutional right to a fair defense. That means the defense team has an obligation to investigate — not simply accept what law enforcement gathered. A skilled defense investigator does exactly that.
What We Actually Do on a Criminal Case
Here is what defense investigation looks like in practice:
Witness Location and Interviews — Law enforcement interviews witnesses early and shapes those interviews. A defense investigator goes back, finds witnesses the prosecution may have overlooked, and conducts independent interviews without pressure or bias.
Crime Scene Investigation — We revisit the scene. Lighting conditions, sightlines, distances, and physical evidence all look different in person than they do in a police report. Defense investigators document what the original investigation may have missed or mischaracterized.
Evidence Review — We review all discovery materials — police reports, body cam footage, forensic reports — with a critical eye. Inconsistencies, chain of custody issues, and procedural errors can all be significant to the defense.
Background Investigation — Understanding the backgrounds of key witnesses, including law enforcement officers, can be critical. Prior complaints, credibility issues, and conflicts of interest are all fair game.
Court Monitoring — In some cases, a defense investigator attends hearings and trial, observing witness testimony in real time and flagging inconsistencies for the attorney.
Why the Outcome Doesn’t Define the Work
A conviction is not a measure of whether the defense investigation was done well. Our job is not to manufacture a different outcome — it is to make sure the defendant received the most thorough, constitutionally sound defense possible.
In the Halford case, I conducted a comprehensive investigation, located and interviewed witnesses, reviewed the evidence, and provided the defense attorney with everything needed to mount a complete defense. The jury decided what it decided. But the defendant had a defense team that did its job.
That matters. It always matters.
Why Colorado Attorneys Choose BrightStar Investigations
BrightStar Investigations is led by Craig Smith, a CLI-certified investigator — one of fewer than 62 in the world to hold that credential. Craig has worked on cases ranging from local criminal defense to complex investigations for Fortune 500 companies, and has a background in military intelligence, including a combat deployment to Iraq and work with CENTCOM.
If you are a defense attorney in Colorado Springs, Denver, or anywhere in Colorado and you need an investigator who will go the distance for your client, contact BrightStar Investigations for a confidential consultation.
Colorado Springs: 719-578-3317
Denver: 303-219-6312