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From the record $640,000 jury verdict, with the jury crediting the expert testimony. Hunter v. City of Federal Way, W.D. Wash.
Retention $9,000 flat fee · discovery review and the written report Full case history Washington casework · The deepest state record Florida practice · Based in Naples For Retaining Counsel The Library · Guides for counsel
The practice The team · Three experts, over 110 years Professor Gregory Gilbertson (Ret.) Sheriff Robert Snaza · Independent consultant FBI Special Agent Christopher Holland (Ret.) · Independent consultant Law enforcement expert witness · What the discipline covers
False Arrest & Search · Probable-Cause Timing

What They Knew,
When They Knew It

Direct line: (239) 571-1840  ·  GregoryGilbertson@proton.me

Attorney and law-firm inquiries only

Probable cause is not a label applied after the fact; it is a state of knowledge at a moment in time. The analysis reconstructs that moment: the information actually in hand at the arrest, where it came from, and what accepted arrest procedure required.

Discuss a matter Call (239) 571-1840
False Arrest & SearchFalse Arrest & Search overviewStops, Frisks & DetentionWarrants & No-Knock Entries
The Scope

What this covers.

Within this engagement

  • Probable-cause-related police practices
  • What officers knew and when they knew it
  • Arrest procedures and warrantless arrests
  • Mistaken-identity arrests
  • Wrong-address arrests
How it is analyzed

Reports, dispatch records, witness statements and depositions, sequenced into a factual chronology of the arrest decision, then measured against agency policy and national arrest-procedure standards.

Engagement terms and the published fee schedule: For Retaining Counsel →

From the Library

Working references for this practice area.

Guides for retaining counsel, written from the same record this analysis reads.

Two ThresholdsReasonable Suspicion vs. Probable Cause, in PracticeRead the guideAsked OftenWhat Is a Terry Stop?Read the guideMediationMediation and Settlement ConsultationRead the guideTimingWhen to Retain a Police Practices ExpertRead the guideThe LexiconStops, Arrests and Searches: A Litigator's LexiconRead the guide

The Library, in full

“Professor Gilbertson has twice served as my expert in search and seizure and false arrest cases. His analysis and opinions are always spot on.”
Darryl Parker, Attorney at Law · Seattle, WA
Questions

Before the record is sent.

Can timing really decide these cases?
Often it is the whole case: information that arrived after the cuffs cannot justify them. The chronology, built from the record, shows exactly what was known when.
What does retention cost?
A non-refundable $9,000 flat fee covering discovery review and the written expert report, with a bullet-point outline approved with counsel before writing begins. The full published schedule is on the For Counsel page.
Retain

Send the probable-cause timeline.

Attorney and law-firm inquiries only. Conflicts are checked before anything substantive, and you will hear about a conflict immediately.

Probable-cause inquiry

For counsel litigating what was known, and when.

Inquiry sent.

You will hear back directly. If the matter is urgent, call (239) 571-1840.

(239) 571-1840Direct line, Naples, Florida GregoryGilbertson@proton.meDirect email, prefilled for this matter.
Nationwide practiceRetained in 42 states and D.C. · Based in Naples, FL

Conflicts are checked before any substantive discussion. Please do not send privileged material with a first inquiry; after retention the record is exchanged on physical media. Gregory consults for attorneys and their staff only, and does not provide legal advice or attorney referrals to individuals.

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