Parents will need to be prepared to get their child professional help. If the arrest stemmed from a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, therapy will be needed. The sooner the parents recognize this and try to solve the problem, the less chance of a another incident. A second crime will be harder to deal with on all levels.
Parents have to be prepared for the long haul. The judicial system works slowly. There may be multiple hearings and delays. Managing the parents' expectations will go a long way toward helping the child get through an unpleasant experience.
By being the professional helping a wealthy client effectively deal with a child getting into trouble with the law, that financial advisor is significantly differentiating himself or herself from the competition. Going beyond core financial services is becoming more important to business success when it comes to serving the affluent.
The Role Of The Private Investigator
Private investigators will work with clients' attorneys to determine the facts and circumstances of the case. When it comes to the wealthy, very often the private investigator will:
Go to the police precinct that is investigating the alleged crime. Assure the police that the parents and the child's attorney are on the way, if they are not already present. Identify the arresting officers and how evidence has been handled.
Evaluate the scene of the crime. This entails photographing the scene, noting the time and date of the incident, the weather conditions, possible witnesses and any surveillance cameras that may have observed the incident.
Identify the victims and/or damages, and the associates and friends of all parties involved in order to ascertain the peripheral issues surrounding the incident.
Conduct background investigations on all key individuals.
Make available drug testing and polygraph tools.
Thoroughly investigate the crime, chain of custody, crime lab procedures, motives, people involved, and most important the credibility and integrity of all the parties involved.
Have a "home detention plan" available for presentation as an alternative to the possibility of pretrial detention.
Philip Scala is CEO of Pathfinder Consultants International Inc., a New York-based private investigator and security consultant.
Howard Kleinhendler is a partner at Wachtel & Masyr LLP in New York.