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Criminal Defense Investigation & JAC Due Process Services

Serving Sarasota County and the 12th Judicial Circuit

When a client’s liberty is at stake in the 12th Judicial Circuit, the quality of the criminal defense investigation can make the difference between a conviction and an acquittal. Brooks Detective Agency is a specialized investigative practice led personally by me, Detective Brooks.

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As a Florida JAC Approved Due Process Vendor, I provide dedicated support to court-appointed registry attorneys and private counsel in Sarasota County.

 

In serious felony defense, an attorney's most valuable asset is an defense investigator with direct experience in Homicide and Sexual Assault cases.  Having managed numerous homicide and serious felony investigations, I specialize in acting as a seamless extension of the defense team.

 

My primary objective is to work at the direct guidance of counsel to deconstruct the prosecution's case through an exhaustive review of the entire discovery. I provide meticulous analysis of the police reports, body-worn camera footage, Cellebrite data, and digital forensics to identify and alert the legal team to critical inconsistencies, procedural failures, or overlooked leads essential for building a robust defense strategy.

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High-Stakes Felony Support for Sarasota, Venice, and the 12th Judicial Circuit

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I bring 25 years of law enforcement experience to your defense team, with a career specialized in high-stakes criminal investigations. My prior background is rooted in Maricopa County, where I focused extensively on Felony Homicides, Sexual Assaults, and Serious Crimes.

 

I offer the legal community of Sarasota and Venice the same intensity and investigative standard I practiced in one of the nation’s busiest jurisdictions.

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I bring a quarter-century of law enforcement and investigative expertise to your defense team. My background is not in routine administrative work; it is rooted in the most serious crimes handled by the justice system:
 

  • Former Maricopa County Felony Expertise: I spent the core of my career in one of the nation's busiest jurisdictions, focusing on Homicides, Sexual Assaults, and Serious Crimes.

  • The Veteran Advantage: Having investigated these cases from the inside, I know exactly where the state's investigation ends and where the defense's investigation must begin. I identify the gaps in the discovery, police reports, BWC videos, surveillance videos, Cellebrite, and the nuances in forensic evidence that others miss.

Direct JAC Support for 12th Circuit Attorneys

Because I operate as an independent expert, you deal directly with me. I understand the administrative requirements of the Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) and the specific needs of the 12th Judicial Circuit.

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  • Authorized JAC Vendor:  I am fully vetted and contracted to provide due process services at the $40/hr state rate.

  • Direct Accountability:  From the initial discovery review to the final witness interview, I handle every aspect of the case personally. You will never have your case handed off to a junior investigator; you get my 25 years of experience on every file.

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Technical Discovery & Felony Case Review.

 

My work as a defense investigator is focused on deconstructing the State’s case to find inconsistencies and procedural failures. I provide deep-dive analysis of the evidence most critical to felony litigation:

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  • Police Report & Statement Deconstruction: I identify the "gaps" in initial reporting, conflicting witness accounts, and missing investigative steps that law enforcement overlooked.

  • Body-Worn Camera (BWC) & Digital Media Analysis: I personally review hours of BWC footage, surveillance video, and Ring camera data to find audio or visual cues that contradict the official narrative.

  • Cellebrite & Mobile Forensics Review: I review UFED/Cellebrite extraction reports to verify that text messages, GPS pings, and call logs are accurate and haven't been taken out of context.

  • Witness Location & Interviews: I specialize in locating difficult witnesses and securing recorded, court-admissible statements for the defense.

  • Alibi & Timeline Verification: Using digital and physical evidence to independently verify a defendant’s whereabouts and challenge the State's timeline.

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Why Counsel Chooses Brooks Detective Agency

 

In high-liability cases like sexual battery or homicide, you don't want an unqualified investigator or PI Intern managing your case. You need an expert who has felony criminal defense cases under their belt. 

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Experience is the difference between a report that simply lists facts and a report that builds a defense.

Working with the Justice Administrative Commission (JAC)

At Brooks Detective Agency, I am fully integrated into the JAC system as a Due Process Vendor. I understand that for court-appointed counsel and private attorneys with clients declared Indigent for Costs (IFC), administrative compliance is as important as the investigation itself.

Counsel Resources: JAC Motions & Case Opening

I am an authorized Florida Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) Due Process Vendor. To streamline the appointment process for Court-Appointed or Indigent for Costs (IFC) cases, please follow the 2026 JAC guidelines below:

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1. The Appointment Process

  • Motion to Incur Costs: Counsel must file a motion and serve the JAC via the MyJAC Secure Portal. The JAC requires 10 business days' notice before a hearing.

  • The Authorizing Order: The Judge must sign an order prior to the start of work. To ensure state payment, the order must:

    • Specifically name: Brooks Detective Agency.

    • State the authorized hourly rate of $50.00/hr.

    • Establish an initial "cap" (dollar limit) for services.

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2. Privately Retained (IFC) Requirements

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If you are privately retained, you must upload the Written Fee Agreement between your firm and the client to the MyJAC portal to establish indigency for costs.

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Direct Billing & Accountability

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Because I operate as an independent expert, you deal directly with me. I handle the administrative heavy lifting of the JAC billing process so your staff doesn't have to:

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  • Contemporaneous Logs: I maintain the minute-by-minute logs required by the JAC contract.

  • Direct Vendor Billing: As a contracted vendor, I submit my invoices and logs directly through MyJAC for state payment.

  • JAC-Proof Reporting: My service descriptions are drafted to meet strict audit standards, preventing delays or "Requests for Additional Information" (RAIs).

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Counsel Resources: Official 2026 JAC Links

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​Indigent for Costs (IFC) Cases

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If you are privately retained but your client has been declared indigent for the purpose of costs under s. 27.52(5), F.S., I am prepared to assist. I am familiar with the "Presumption of Non-Indigency" thresholds and can provide the necessary documentation to support your motions for investigative costs.

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"My goal is to handle the investigative and administrative requirements of the JAC so that you can focus entirely on the legal defense of your client."

 TOP RATED
SARASOTA COUNTY PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
- Sarasota - Venice - North Port

Sarasota Local Guide Private Investigator Sarasota Florida
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Detective Chris Brooks
Private Investigator
& JAC Investigator

Detective Chris Brooks is a distinguished private investigator based in Sarasota & Venice, Florida, with over 25+ years of experience.

 

Detective Brooks is a retired Chief of Police and nationally recognized investigator who has worked with everyday individuals, business owners, high-net-worth families, celebrities, and professional athletes — all of whom rely on his discretion, integrity, and proven results.

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Need answers? Trust Chris’s unmatched experience and commitment to uncovering the truth — no matter the case.

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