This Form is for new digital forensic cases only. Please do not use it unless requesting a digital forensics investigation. Our digital forensics fee is $400 per hour with a two (2) hour minimum. The fee will also include 6% KY Sales Tax as required by HB-8 as well as a credit card processing fee of 2.9% + 0.30 cents which is charged by our payment gateway.
PARTIES: This binding agreement entered into by and between Metro Investigations, LLC, a Kentucky and Indiana licensed private investigative company, hereinafter referred to as AGENCY, and the undersigned, hereinafter referred to as CLIENT. It is the intent of the CLIENT to engage the services of the AGENCY for the purpose of investigating a case for them that is described in the investigative details area below.
CONFIDENTIALITY: CLIENT agrees to protect and forever defend the confidential identity of the AGENCY and its agents, failure to do so may be grounds for terminating the case immediately. AGENCY agrees to not disclose information to nonessential third parties unless legally obligated to do so, the case becomes public knowledge or if given authorization to do so by the CLIENT.
FEES: The minimum non-refundable retainer amount is $800. Please contact us prior to signing this. After exhausting the initial retainer, suitable payment can be made to continue or the investigation can be terminated at the discretion of the AGENCY. Suitable payment may be made by cash, check, money order, credit card or other agreed upon, on-line payment methods. CLIENT understands and agrees that if payment is made in a manner or method where a processing fee is charged to the AGENCY, CLIENT shall be responsible for these fees. In situations where the fee is not known until after payment, a separate invoice will be created with CLIENT agreeing to pay said fees.
EXPENSES: CLIENT recognizes AGENCY will likely incur expenses directly associated with conducting said investigation. As such, CLIENT shall be responsible for all reasonable expenses, including, but not limited to software fees, flash drives, hard drives, miscellaneous media and any other unforeseen expenses necessary to conduct the investigations as requested by CLIENT. AGENCY agrees to obtain pre-authorization for expenses other than media costs and other reasonable expenses incurred during the course of this investigation. AGENCY will attempt to limit any unnecessary expenses and/or keep such costs at a minimum. Mileage fees are generally waived for investigations in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Those outside of the county will be billed at the rate of the IRS business mileage allowance for the year.
USE OF SUBCONTRACT AND/OR ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATORS: CLIENT agrees AGENCY, at its sole discretion, may use sub-contracted investigators and services.
REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICIES: Click Here (opens a new tab)
DISCLAIMERS: AGENCY’S fees for services are NOT contingent on the outcome or results of the investigation. AGENCY MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS OF AN INVESTIGATION. Fees are SOLELY FOR THE INVESTIGATIVE EFFORT EXPENDED BY THE AGENCY AND EXPENSES. AGENCY will perform services in compliance with all state, federal laws, regulations and best practices.
REPORTS: Every reasonable effort will be made to assure the quality of the information will be accurate. Original notes or documents considered “work product” will not be released and remain the property of AGENCY and may be destroyed upon completion of the final report.
TECHNICAL REPORTS: CLIENT understands often substantial time must be spent in the office before and after completion of an acquisition or examination working on the final report, chain of custody forms, sanitizing media, etc. and the time spent on location completing a analysis is not a true reflection of the actual time expended on the case. Billing will reflect true hours spent, both of the examination and other time spent on the case.
APPEARANCES: CLIENT agrees to compensate AGENCY or investigators thereof, at the agreed upon rates, for “stand by” time, “on-call” time, hearings, court appearances, depositions or meetings prior to or subsequent to the completion of the investigation or hearings, whether under order of subpoena or not ordered, subpoenaed or requested by CLIENT or their attorney. If any testimony or deposition regarding this matter or any matter related to this investigation is required, the fee will be per hour, per investigator, plus expenses, with a four (4) hour minimum per investigator, per day unless otherwise agreed upon. All testimony and deposition fees are due in advance of the scheduled appearance. A retainer for said appearance must be received seven (7) days prior to scheduling the investigator(s) for testimony, depositions or court appearances. AGENCY shall not be responsible for court delays or cancellations. CLIENT agrees and understands “stand by” and/or “on call” status will be considered the same as an actual appearance and as such, will be billable regardless if an actual appearance is made. Reasonable preparation, review and administrative time shall be billed accordingly. Mileage for all appearances outside of Jefferson County, Kentucky shall be billable as well. If an opposing party or their attorney requests, subpoenas, or otherwise orders AGENCY or investigators thereof, to appear for any hearing, court appearance, deposition, mediation, arbitration or meeting, the opposing party or their representative will be billed for said time in accordance to the provisions above. If not paid by the opposing party, CLIENT agrees to pay for the appearance and will then seek payment from the opposing side via the proceedings unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.
EVIDENCE: CLIENT agrees not to tamper with, remove seals, alter or otherwise mishandle evidence used in this case.
MISCELLANEOUS: CLIENT agrees METRO INVESTIGATIONS, LLC, is not a law firm. Any communications with the AGENCY shall NOT be considered advice, direction or guidance with respect to legal matters. The CLIENT agrees, with or without competent legal advice to the CLIENT, AGENCY shall be held blameless for any issues or claims concerning the services supplied by AGENCY. The CLIENT agrees to be responsible for any issues, damages or claims made concerning the use, disclosure or application of any information or other material produced by AGENCY, its' agents or employees. AGENCY reserves the right to withhold any and all reports, evidence, testimony or surveillance recordings pending payment in full and bank clearance thereof. CLIENT agrees to permit AGENCY or members thereof, to speak with and advise CLIENTS attorney (if represented) with status and information regarding this investigation. CLIENT understands the fees charged by AGENCY are for services rendered and are not based upon any results. AGENCY makes no assertion or claim to the degree of success of the investigation. Any work requested by CLIENT'S legal counsel shall be treated the same as if requested by the CLIENT directly. Any cost incurred as a result is due and payable the same as any other work contracted herein.
COLLECTIONS: CLIENT agrees to pay AGENCY for time and all fees spent in the collection of unpaid bills including estimates of the time required for anticipated collection processes. CLIENT agrees to pay all costs of the collection of unpaid bills including attorneys' fees, court costs, and expenses. CLIENT agrees continuing charges for time, fees and costs shall be added to the total amount due during the process of collection. CLIENT agrees that AGENCY may assign this agreement to any AGENCY officer or employee for enforcement, court filing, or any part of or the entire collection process. CLIENT agrees that any debt to AGENCY will not be discharged by bankruptcy. CLIENT agrees unpaid amounts due to AGENCY reflect a timely payment discount of $25 per $100 which will be added back into the invoice if not paid within 30 days of the invoice date. Additionally, interest charges at the highest percentage allowed by law compounded daily will also apply. CLIENT agrees any and all court filings or hearings related to the collections of fees shall be adjudicated in Jefferson County, Kentucky and CLIENT agrees to Kentucky being the agreed upon jurisdiction for any collections related proceedings. Late fees and charges will commence after the 31st day from the invoice date.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE: CLIENT also agrees that any differences, claims, or matters in dispute arising out of or in connection with this agreement shall be submitted to the American Arbitration Association for dispute resolution in Louisville, Kentucky. The arbitrator(s) will be mutually selected and the determination of said arbitrator(s) shall be deemed final and absolute. In the event that the CLIENT files suit rather than going through arbitration as agreed upon herein, CLIENT agrees to pay any and all costs including attorneys fees, filing fees and any other costs on behalf of both parties for suits that they initiate. AGENCY agrees to pay half of the arbitration costs for any case not in its favor. The decision of the arbitrator may be entered as a judgment in any Kentucky Court or elsewhere.
COPYRIGHTS: Please note that this document is protected by US Copyright Law and it contains proprietary business processes. Any dissemination other than for the express purpose of hiring Metro Investigations, LLC is strictly forbidden. By downloading and possessing this document, you agree to not disseminate it to unauthorized parties.
SEVERABILITY: Should any portion of this agreement be deemed unenforceable, all remaining parts shall remain nevertheless enforceable.
SIGNATURE: By typing your name into the appropriate box of this electronic agreement you are signing a contract detailing each party’s responsibilities. CLIENT agrees that your electronic signature binds the same as if it was affixed with a handwritten signature. This agreement becomes binding once signed by the CLIENT, payment is made and the AGENCY agrees to accept the case by email. A signed copy or a signed facsimile of this agreement will be as valid as an original. Request for payment will be sent via a payment link. This agreement is null and void if suitable payment isn't received by AGENCY.
