Investigation and Evidence
Successful litigation begins with proper preparation and investigation of both the facts and the law. This preparation and investigation often starts with the client interview. In most cases, the client is the most knowledgeable about the facts of the case. During a client interview, these facts are communicated to the attorney handling the case. The attorney is then able to determine what aspects of the case need further investigation or research. Not only is the client interview an essential step in the fact-gathering process, but it also establishes the foundation for the long-term relationship between the client and the firm.
The proper investigation of any case requires a basic understanding of certain rules of evidence (either state or federal rules, depending on the court in which the matter is filed). These rules ultimately determine what information can be used at trial. Investigation of a case requires the paralegal to obtain information that will be admissible at trial. This does not mean, however, that an investigator should ignore inadmissible evidence. Such evidence might lead to other important and admissible evidence.
