Criminal Cases
The role of the private investigator in criminal matters is now well established: carrying out preliminary investigations or a counter-investigation, before or alongside intervention by the authorities.
Contrary to popular belief, a private investigator is not meant to replace the police or the gendarmerie: they act as a complement, on assignments that public services cannot or will not undertake (limited resources, investigative priorities, cases closed without further action). Our reports, drafted by CNAPS-licensed investigators, can be added to a criminal case file, produced before a criminal court, or given to your lawyer to support a complaint or a defence.
All evidence must be gathered lawfully, respecting the right to privacy (Article 9 of the French Civil Code) and without inciting the commission of an offence — an essential guarantee for a report to be admissible rather than excluded from proceedings.
Why hire a private investigator
- Complementary investigations where public services lack resources or time
- An admissible report, produced in strict compliance with the law and privacy rights
- Action possible before filing a police report, to assess a situation before acting
- A CNAPS-licensed team, never an isolated investigator without a legal framework
How the investigation works
- Confidential first consultationreview of the facts and any related judicial context
- Detailed quoteresources deployed, estimated duration, transparent cost before any intervention
- Investigationgathering of physical evidence, witness statements, targeted surveillance
- Investigation reportprovided to your lawyer, in support of a complaint or a defence
Our areas of expertise
Theft
Theft is defined by Article 311-1 of the French Criminal Code as the fraudulent taking of another person's property, punishable by three years' imprisonment and a €45,000 fine (Article 311-3), with aggravated penalties depending on the circumstances. Damage to or destruction of another person's property falls under Article 322-1 of the Criminal Code.
We investigate the circumstances of a theft or act of damage — at home, within a business, or between private individuals — and gather the physical evidence (witness statements, traces, timeline of events) needed to establish the facts and support a well-documented police report.
Fraud
Fraud, as defined by Article 313-1 of the French Criminal Code, consists of deceiving a person through the use of a false name, a false capacity, or fraudulent manoeuvres, in order to induce them to hand over funds, valuables, or property. It is punishable by five years' imprisonment and a €375,000 fine.
Since the offence is only established once it has been carried out, we conduct preventive research into suspicious transactions — a new business partner, an unusually favourable offer, an unusual request for funds — before any loss occurs.
Breach of trust
Breach of trust, set out in Article 314-1 of the French Criminal Code, is the act of misappropriating, to the detriment of another person, funds, valuables, or any property that was handed over and accepted on the condition that it be returned, accounted for, or used for a specific purpose. It is punishable by three years' imprisonment and a €375,000 fine.
We uncover the fraudulent misappropriation of entrusted property — mismanagement of a mandate, misuse of funds handed over for a specific project — particularly when it relies on a false identity or an abuse of authority.
Abuse of weakness
Article 223-15-2 of the French Criminal Code punishes the fraudulent abuse of the ignorance or vulnerability of a minor or a vulnerable person — due to age, illness, disability, physical or mental impairment, pregnancy, or a state of psychological subjection resulting from serious or repeated pressure — in order to lead them into an act or omission that is seriously detrimental to them.
Our investigations document this kind of exploitation, particularly in contexts of coercive control, cult-like manipulation, or the organised isolation of an elderly or vulnerable person by a trusted third party who has abused that trust.
Criminal counter-investigation
Anyone implicated in a case benefits from the presumption of innocence (preliminary article of the French Code of Criminal Procedure) and the right to a fair trial. The defence may legitimately seek to gather evidence that the initial investigation did not explore, or to bring mitigating circumstances to light.
We carry out counter-investigations aimed at establishing a suspect's innocence, gathering additional witness statements, or documenting an alibi, in close coordination with the defence lawyer and as a complement to the judicial file — never as a substitute for the official investigation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private investigator replace filing a police report?
No. We act alongside a police report or judicial proceedings, never in their place. Our report can, however, be added to the file to support it, or help you decide whether filing a report is appropriate.
Is a private investigator's report admissible in criminal court?
Yes, provided it was obtained lawfully — without inciting an offence or disproportionately infringing on privacy — by a CNAPS-licensed investigator. This is the framework we systematically operate under.
Can I hire a private investigator for my criminal defence?
Yes. A counter-investigation is a recognised right of the defence: we then work in coordination with your lawyer to gather evidence that the initial investigation did not explore.
How much does a criminal investigation cost?
The rate depends on the nature and duration of the assignment. See our detailed rate schedule for private individuals and businesses.