What Criminal Defense Attorneys Need From Notaries: Insights from Justin Capek of KPAC Law

As a mobile and remote online notary, I often hear notaries wonder whether marketing to attorneys is worth the effort. Many assume law firms already have everything they need in-house.

To answer that question, I sat down with Justin Capek of KPAC Law, a criminal defense attorney with nearly a decade of experience representing clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Our conversation covered much more than notarization. Justin shared how his firm uses remote notary services, the biggest mistakes he sees with notarized documents, and why choosing the right person for a power of attorney deserves careful thought.

Here are the biggest takeaways from our discussion.

Many Law Firms Have In-House Notaries, But Not Every Situation Can Be Handled Internally

For routine personal injury cases, Justin explained that many firms rely on in-house paralegals who are also commissioned notaries.

Typical documents include:

• Affidavits

• Insurance-related forms

• Client declarations

• Medical billing paperwork

Because these documents are signed in the office, they are usually handled quickly without needing outside assistance.

However, criminal defense work is very different.

Remote Notaries Solve Problems That Attorneys Cannot

One of the biggest challenges in criminal defense is gathering statements from witnesses who no longer live nearby.

Justin regularly works with witnesses located across the country.

Instead of traveling to another state simply to have a statement notarized, remote notary services make the process much more efficient.

For example, a witness may live in:

• Florida

• California

• Arizona

• Arkansas

Once the attorney interviews the witness and prepares the statement, a local or remote notary can verify the witness's identity, notarize the document, and return it for use in court.

This saves valuable time while helping maintain the credibility of important legal documents.

Why Notarization Adds Credibility

Justin explained that notarization is more than simply witnessing a signature.

When someone signs before a notary, they must verify their identity. That additional verification helps strengthen the authenticity of the document if it is later submitted in court.

For attorneys handling post-conviction relief or witness recantation cases, properly notarized statements can become an important part of the legal process.

Working With Clients in Jail Creates Unique Notary Needs

People who are incarcerated often need important legal documents notarized.

While detention facilities usually have an on-site notary, access can be limited and scheduling may take time.

For urgent matters, Justin often coordinates attorney visits where a mobile notary joins the meeting so documents can be completed immediately.

This can be especially helpful for:

• Powers of attorney

• Property documents

• Financial documents

• Time-sensitive legal paperwork

Having the right notary available at the right time can simplify the process for both attorneys and families.

A Power of Attorney Should Never Be Signed Without Careful Thought

One of the most valuable pieces of advice Justin shared involved powers of attorney.

When someone is facing incarceration, they often want another person to manage their finances or property.

Justin cautions clients to think carefully before giving someone that authority.

A power of attorney gives another person significant legal authority over your affairs. While that person has a legal duty to act in your best interest, granting that authority should never be taken lightly.

In many cases, Justin recommends appointing a trusted parent or spouse rather than someone the individual has only been dating for a short time.

As he explained, difficult situations can change relationships, making careful planning especially important.

Accuracy Matters More Than Many Notaries Realize

Even small errors can cause major problems.

Justin shared several mistakes that have delayed legal matters:

• Incorrect notarization dates

• Misspelled names

• Incorrect addresses

• Missing seals or stamps

Financial institutions and courts often reject documents when information is inconsistent.

His advice is simple:

Double-check every detail before completing the notarization.

Taking an extra minute to review the document can save clients from repeating the entire process.

Should Notaries Market to Criminal Defense Attorneys?

One of the questions I asked Justin was whether notaries actively market to law firms.

His answer surprised me.

He said very few notaries have ever reached out to his firm directly.

While personal injury firms often have in-house notaries, criminal defense attorneys sometimes need specialized assistance that cannot be handled internally.

That includes situations involving:

• Out-of-state witnesses

• Remote notarizations

• Urgent jail signings

• Documents requiring coordination across multiple locations

For notaries looking to grow their business, criminal defense firms may represent an overlooked opportunity.

Building Relationships Creates Better Business

Justin also shared why his firm focuses heavily on educational social media instead of traditional legal advertising.

Rather than relying on flashy billboards or exaggerated promises, KPAC Law uses Instagram to educate potential clients about their rights and legal situations.

His approach centers on building trust before someone ever needs legal representation.

That same philosophy applies to notaries.

Building genuine relationships with attorneys and providing dependable service often leads to repeat business and referrals over time.

Final Thoughts

Speaking with Justin Capek of KPAC Law reinforced something I've seen throughout my own notary business.

Not every attorney needs an outside notary every day. But when they do, they need someone who is reliable, detail-oriented, and able to solve problems quickly.

Whether it's coordinating a witness in another state, assisting with jail signings, or making sure every notarization is completed accurately, professional notaries can become valuable partners to attorneys handling complex legal matters.

For notaries looking to expand their services, building relationships with criminal defense attorneys may be an opportunity that many others have overlooked.