Anyone interested in a career as an investigator for a law firm should understand that it is not an entry-level position. It requires specific education, experience, and even licensing, depending on the exact nature of the field. Legal investigation involves rigorous research, extensive observation skills, and knowledge of civil and criminal law.

It is essential to be aware of the laws in your state regarding private investigations, as certain types of inquiries may require licensure in some states.

What is a Legal Investigator?

A legal investigator is a professional who collects and prepares material for use by lawyers in criminal and civil trials. They are typically employed as staff members of law firms, where they must source, analyze, and file material that pertains to the case being tried. The discovery and case review processes leading up to a trial require the skillful gathering of evidence related to the subject matter. As a result, legal investigators are in high demand throughout the criminal justice system.

Though many legal investigators are government employees working on behalf of defendants during trial proceedings, others may offer their services on an individual or contractual basis within the private sector.

How to Become a Legal Investigator

Becoming a legal investigator is no easy task and requires an extensive education combined with thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Legal investigators typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related fields. Research shows that 61.0% of investigators have such a degree, and 9.9% even have master’s degrees in the field. It is valuable for aspiring legal investigators to understand notable local, state, and federal laws, be able to identify relevant evidence, and corroborate facts to create an evidence-based case.

Other recommended skills include strong interpersonal skills and proficiency in public speaking, writing, and research techniques.

While having a formal education is highly recommended for those wishing to pursue this career path. A successful candidate should also have extensive contacts within law enforcement and use them effectively to access the information needed for any given case. Furthermore, obtaining certification from organizations such as the National Association of Legal Investigators can help equip you with a qualitative skill set.

Education and State Certification

Individuals seeking to pursue a career as a legal investigator should begin by obtaining a four-year degree in criminal justice, political science, or a related field, emphasizing coursework that provides an understanding of the legal system. This will encompass general legal studies and more technical courses such as legal terminology, ethics, civil litigation, criminal litigation, research, and investigative techniques.

The goal here is to provide a comprehensive education to any prospective professional so that they may have the required skill set once they decide to start out in the industry.

In addition to having the necessary educational background to be an effective investigator, it is essential to obtain state certification when applicable. Certification is typically achieved after passing exams, so it is vital to ensure that one has completed courses on topics such as legal and ethical considerations for the legal investigator.

Professional Certification

Professional certification for legal investigators is an important step that many take in order to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive field. For instance, the Certified Legal Investigator certification from the National Association of Legal Investigators sets national standards. It requires individuals to successfully pass written and oral examinations and write a 1,000-word research paper.

Furthermore, those who receive this certification must also complete continuing education credits to maintain their designation. To be qualified for this program, applicants must have either a license (if required) to practice or at least five years of verifiable work experience as a full-time legal investigator (or sixty semester hours of education at an accredited college or university) that can substitute for one year of experience.

Achieving professional certification provides legal investigators with more credibility when working on cases and can open up new job opportunities that may not have been available before due to a lack of such credentials.

In addition, it enhances the individual’s reputation within the community by showing that their knowledge, commitment, and skill have been certified through the scrutiny and oversight of experts in the field. Pursuing professional certification demonstrates an individual’s dedication to keeping abreast of the latest developments in methods and technology associated with investigations.