Page 1 - DIY Defense Investigations - AFI-LLC Newsletter October 2021

P. 1

DIY Defense Investigations - AFI-LLC Newsletter October 2021

Each month our agency publishes an interactive and informative newsletter for
clients and colleagues. Our newsletters cover news from associations and our
profession – from training and conferences, to legislative. We also cover our
services in the areas of Expert Legal Investigations and Medicolegal
Consultations of Personal Injury, Negligence and Death in Civil, Criminal and
Probate litigation.

The current issue is posted at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-newsletters

CELEBRATING 34 YEARS SERVING CLIENTS – AND 30 YEARS TOGETHER!
October brings a special time for us – Dean started our agency on 10/01/1987 with Karen joining in 1996; and we met on
10/15/1991. We are committed to each other, and also our agency and clients.

Our journey together started with a by chance motorcycle ride Dean took with a roommate to visit his mom at her gift
shop. There was Karen, also visiting. We struck up a short conversation, and later were ‘set up’ by Dean’s roommate and
his mom. Our story for the next 30 years has been filed with smiles and fun, tribulations and challenges, success and
supporting each other in the best and most trying of times. It is incredible to think back 30 years and know our journey
together, and as a family, has so many memories – and we are definitely ready to make more together! We are very
proud of our family – two daughters (Jeberly and Winter), and each blessing us with two awesome grandkids (Jeberly –
Jacee, 12 & Lincoln 5; and Winter – identical twins Gage & Cash 12). If you see us, just ask about them and we will share
some pretty awesome stories – from their talents to their shenanigans!

The journey of our agency also has many memories, challenges, and successes. To think this started with no experience,
business cards, answering machine and beeper – to all we have accomplished and our passion. Thank You to our clients
and colleagues for being our success, and to each of you for following us on these journeys!
Some of our history (from 2019) - www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/celebrating-32-years-1987-2019

DIY CHEAP CRIMINAL DEFENSE INVESTIGATIONS
This is too common of a mistake. Like you, we are contacted frequently by those with the best of intentions, which
usually accompanied by insufficient financial resources. What should you tell them and why? We have accepted pro se
cases, and offered pro bone assistance – both under careful consideration of the case and circumstances. With the
exception of family questioned death reviews, which are not considered for litigation we predominantly work only with
attorneys and their investigators. What are some of the issues? Here are some, and we go into more detail in the
commentary. The life, liberty and future of a criminal defendant is the heart of the issue – don’t take any chances.
• Doing it yourself: Are you qualified and experienced? Are you prepared to be your own witness?
• Saving money having a relative or friend do it: Are they qualified and experienced? Are they prepared to be your
witness?
• Proper investigation: Does the person know the legal issues, elements of the charges, implications of the charges,
confidentiality issues – including any disclosures, evidentiary issues?
• Common mistakes: Not communicating with the defense attorney; unprotected / non-confidential communication
with the defendant. Disclosing findings to the prosecutor or law enforcement hoping to drop the charges. Making
things worse – such as exposure to incriminating information and additional charges.
-- see below for more information and link to this commentary

1 2 3 4 5 6