About Liz
Work With Liz
Dismissed cases, not guilty verdicts, and lower sentences are the results you will get by working with an experienced investigator such as Elizabeth Hansen.
Your clients, their family members, friends, and case witnesses will feel comfortable sharing information with Liz because she is easily relatable and has the ability to ask the right questions.
Experience
Elizabeth has 25+ years of experience as a criminal defense investigator. She began her career as a Public Defender investigator before going into private practice. Elizabeth has a unique empathetic trait that allows her to look beyond the alleged crime the client is accused of committing. Instead, throughout the investigation, she can explore and gather pertinent details about the client’s history to develop compassion, leniency, and a social justice perspective.
In addition, Elizabeth has excellent listening skills, which are essential when communicating with the attorney, the client, the victim, witnesses, and other professionals involved in the case. She can develop a trusting relationship to gather the information essential to the case.
Diversity & Bilingualism
Elizabeth is able to relate, appreciate, understand, and communicate with Spanish-only clients and witnesses. Because of her Spanish-speaking ability, clients and witnesses establish an immediate connection and trust.
Elizabeth grew up with Spanish-only speaking parents, lived in Mexican communities, and appreciates Mexican culture.
Education
Elizabeth holds a Master of Science degree in Criminology from Regis University. During the last 16 weeks of her Capstone course, she dedicated considerable time to researching current immigration laws and their impact on undocumented children, as well as U.S.-born children with undocumented parents.
About Liz
Liz was born in Juarez, Mexico, and her journey to the United States began when she was just a few months old. Her mother made the bold decision to cross the border, seeking a better life for their family. With her father already established in the U.S., having secured a stable job and a place to live, they were determined to build a brighter future. Liz often recalls her mother discussing the challenges they faced, especially the struggle with learning English and the adjustment to a new culture. Liz experienced the same difficulties, not speaking English until she started school, and finding it difficult to fit in.
Then, at 16, Liz's world turned upside down the day she stepped into the DMV, clutching her birth certificate with a sense of pride and purpose. Her excitement quickly faded as she approached the counter, only to hear the startled clerk ask, “Where’s your Green Card?” A wave of confusion washed over her as she stammered, “What Green Card?” In that moment, the weight of the words sank in; she was living in the United States without legal status, completely unaware that she could be deported at any time.
Just a year prior, in 1986, a significant shift occurred in the nation’s immigration policy when President Ronald Reagan signed a comprehensive reform bill into law. This historic legislation granted amnesty to immigrants who had entered the U.S. before 1982, allowing them to emerge from the shadows. Liz seized this opportunity with both hands. Thanks to the amnesty, she was finally able to secure a driver’s license, gain legal employment, and unlock the door to higher education through grants and loans, transforming her dreams into reality.
Liz was in her second year of college, immersed in her studies, when she received the exciting opportunity to work as an investigator for the Public Defender’s Office. Although the role was demanding and required a significant time commitment, she was fiercely determined to balance her professional responsibilities with her academic aspirations, attending classes at night and on weekends. Driven by her passion for justice and a desire to make a difference, Liz pursued not just a bachelor's degree but ultimately earned a Master of Science in Criminology. She is profoundly grateful for the invaluable experience the Public Defender’s Office provided her with, as it opened her eyes to the powerful role an investigator plays in advocating for individuals facing the daunting challenges of criminal charges.
After eight years with the Public Defender’s Office, Liz transitioned into private practice. She is passionate about supporting clients during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Liz provides valuable assistance to attorneys not only through her understanding of the legal system but also by offering compassion. She has a remarkable ability to empathize with clients and connect with victims, witnesses, and jurors. Her wealth of experience is not merely a testament to her perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity, but it is also enriched by her background as a criminal defense investigator. This specialized expertise serves as a critical asset to any defense team, elevating their strategy and approach and making a significant difference in the pursuit of justice.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Elizabeth Hansen Investigations today to discuss your defense strategy.