The San Mateo County Bar Association Private Defender Program (PDP) is dedicated to providing the highest quality legal services to eligible clients in San Mateo County. Our panel of private attorneys represent people in misdemeanor, felony, juvenile delinquency, and dependency cases and are committed to seeking justice on behalf of our clients.

The Role of Investigators in Criminal Cases

The work of an investigator is crucial to providing the high-quality legal representation our clients deserve. In many cases, our lawyers, no matter how talented, cannot effectively represent a client and deliver the high-quality service they deserve without assistance from a skilled investigator. The PDP’s long-standing policy is to work with qualified investigators who assist Program attorneys. Investigators are always available and all reasonable requests for an investigator will be granted.

Investigative services available to every PDP client include, but are not limited to:

  • Locating and interviewing witnesses
  • Searching for exculpatory evidence
  • Photographing and documenting crime scenes
  • Writing fact and mitigation reports
  • Serving subpoenas on witnesses for trial

Our investigators also help obtain evidence, such as medical records, cell phone records, camera footage, and business records. They are a critical part of the defense team who maintain confidentiality in every aspect of a case and work closely with panel attorneys to develop the most effective strategy for each case.

PDP Investigators Assist in the Pursuit of Justice

The PDP’s Head of Investigations oversees a team that includes some of the most talented investigators in the country. Their collective experience, diversity, and dedication make them an invaluable part of an effective defense team. A complex case could have two to three investigators assigned to assist the lead investigator with a variety of tasks. We are fully committed to ensuring that every client and case has access to the investigative resources needed to mount a thorough and vigorous defense.