Hiring the right investigator can help you prevail in your litigated matter. Conversely, losing in litigation can be an expensive venture or life altering if relevant facts are not found/presented due to a poor investigation. Worse yet, an investigator that is not versed in the laws that govern him, can expose his client to costly civil liability. This is why it's critically important to choose the right investigator.
So what's the difference, and why choose a Legal Investigator, as opposed to a regular private investigator?
Legal Investigators usually have a college degree in paralegal studies, criminal or administration of justice, political science or a related legal field. The Legal Investigator must possess knowledge of statutory and case law, local rules of court, civil procedure, forensic sciences, techniques of evidence collection, its preservation and admissibility.
The job of a Legal Investigator is to gather information and evidence which advance legal theories to benefit the client’s case. Legal investigators perform a number of essential duties for law firms, all of which require a sharp mind, extensive records and legal researching skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and astute investigative skills.
Depending on the type of case they are working on, Legal Investigators assist attorneys by reviewing police reports and discovery materials, analyzing and photographing crime or accident scenes, interviewing parties and witnesses, obtaining signed or recorded statements, performing background investigations, preparing documentary and demonstrative evidence, recommending experts and testifying in court.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services requires licensing for private investigators.
Minimum requirements for state licensure is:
(1) be 18 or older
(2) no educational requirement
(3) undergo a criminal background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
(4) three years investigative experience totaling 6,000 hours.
(5) pass a two hour multiple choice examination.
Description
A private investigator is an individual who amongst other duties:
* investigates crimes, civil claims, lawsuits, etc.,
* investigates a persons identity, occupation, character, etc.,
* investigates the location of lost or stolen property,
* investigates the cause of losses, accidents, damage or injury,
* secures evidence for use in court.
"We employed Randall for both his Paralegal and Investigative expertise to review, compare and contrast all statements and deposition testimony. Randall's work in both contexts was exceptional, as was his reliability, integrity and professionalism."
"His background as a Paralegal allows him to provide unique and invaluable insight into our cases. Randall has become a major asset to our firm and he’s the only investigator we use. The reason for that is simple: Randall gets it done! "
"Thank you for participating in the written examination development for the
Private Investigator's profession as a Subject Matter Expert."
Randall Alexander is an educated litigation support paralegal. He has worked as a Legal Investigator and state Licensed Private Investigator, since 1999 when he formed Legal Support Investigative Service.
Randall specializes in litigation support, with expertise in Family Law and Civil Litigation. He applies over thirty years of professional training and experience in investigations, law enforcement and military, as well as a degree in Paralegal Studies and completed undergraduate coursework in Administration of Justice.
In 2008, Randall Alexander was recognized as a Subject Matter Expert by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Randall assisted DCA/BSIS in the review and rewrite of the Private Investigator State Licensing Examination, which determines candidate competency for licensure.
Randall has served as an industry expert in the review of private investigator work product, providing his opinion based on codified law, appellate case precedence, and industry periodicals. He has testified in depositions, state and federal court, as well as a state administrative hearing.
PARALEGAL STUDIES
Randall earned his Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies from the Southern California College of Business and Law; an ABA - American Bar Association approved program.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Randall completed undergraduate coursework in Administration of Justice.
Randall was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Randall has over twenty-five years of continuing education in the investigative industry, provided through professional associations.
Randall has been a Member in Good Standing with the industry professional association, California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) since 1999.
Randall has served CALI and it's membership in the following capacities:
Currently Serving
Previous Service
Randall has participated in legislative activities in Sacramento and locally in Southern California, addressing legislative bills that impact the consumer, the legal community, and the investigative industry. In 2008, Randall assisted with the draft for a Private Investigator, Mandatory Continuing Education bill, SB-1282 (Margett), and again in 2009, SB-202 (Harman), both of which received near unanimous support.
Randall has given presentations regarding the Licensed Private Investigator industry and the laws that govern their actions to various organizations, chamber of commerce, schools, and networking groups.
California Association of Licensed Investigators
District Governor Recognition - 2002, 2003 and 2004
Recognition plaques for service as the Los Angeles County District Governor.
California Association of Licensed Investigators
CALI Certificate of Recognition - 2008
Presented by his peers of the CALI Orange County District for organizing quality educational meetings resulting in increased member participation by more than four fold.
California Association of Licensed Investigators
District Governor Recognition - 2008
Recognition plaque for service as the Orange County District Governor.
California Association of Licensed Investigators
District Director Recognition - 2008
Recognition plaque for service as Orange County District Director, for serving on the Board of Directors.
California Association of Licensed Investigators
Vice President of Administration Award - 2008
For exceptional leadership.
California Association of Licensed Investigators
District Governor of the Year Award - 2008
Randall was the first recipient of the CALI District Governor of the Year, awarded by the Board of Directors for exceptional performance and leadership.
An informative article explaining how to photographically reproduce the perspective of an eyewitness for evidentiary purposes, to corroborate or refute eyewitness testimony. Include useful links for establishing weather patterns for a particular day, as well as codified laws regarding digital evidence.
A step by step, detailed guideline for investigators when building a Family Law, Cohabitation Investigation. The article includes codified law, case law and Evidence Codes regarding digital evidence.
Article is an LSIS case study of a personal injury accident and the rare phenomenon known as Flame Jetting.
The article is a fundamental basics for DSLR forensic photography and how modern digital cameras may alter the perspective of an image dependent on the camera sensor size. Article includes codified laws regarding digital evidence.
An article for the Consumer and attorneys, addressing the depth, as well as the pros and cons of background investigations.
American Legion
California Alliance of Paralegal Associations
California Association of Licensed Investigators
Los Angeles Paralegal Association
Marine Corps Association
Marine Corps League
National Council of Investigation & Security Services
Non-Commissioned Officer's Association
Orange County Paralegal Association
Peace Officers Research Association of California
Private Investigator Consortium
Southern California Fraud Investigators Association
Kids First of Orange County - 1999 to 2014
Randall was a board member and volunteer with Kid's First of Orange County, a non-profit organization for divorcing parents and their children; hosted by the Psychology Department at Chapman University.
Asian Pacific American Legal Center - 2003 to 2006
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) - 2005 to 2023,
Conservatory Of Fine Arts (COFA) - 2014 to 2023
Sunny Hills High School
Engineering Pathways to Innovations and Change (EPIC) - 2014 to 2023
Sunny Hills High School / Regional Occupation Program (ROP)
Stringed Orchestra, Sunny Hills High School - 2014 to 2023
Randall engages in select pro-bono work with military veterans and active-service personnel.
Kids First of Orange County
Certificates of Appreciation - 1999 to 2014
For volunteer service during Divorced/Separated Parenting & Children's Workshops, hosted at Chapman University.
Kids First of Orange County
Recognition Plaque for Dedicated Service - 2006
For dedicated and continued volunteer service as a Kid's First Board member and volunteer.
Kids First of Orange County
Special Recognition for Extraordinary Service - 2009
For safely evacuating over 30 children and adults, during a divorce parenting workshop incident, requiring police response.
Conservatory of Fine Arts
Certificate of Appreciation - 2018
For years of dedicated volunteer service and donations in support of the arts programs at Sunny Hills High School.
Conservatory of Fine Arts
Certificate of Appreciation - 2023
For years of dedicated volunteer service and donations in support of the arts programs at Sunny Hills High School.
Legal Support Investigative Service
Post Office Box 11007, Whittier, CA 90603
Phone 562-315-5052
randall@LSISinvestigations.com
CA License #21556
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