There are many individuals that are frustrated with law enforcement or reluctant to consider other legal paths. So, they think to contact private investigation companies to hire an investigator. Private investigators have a large amount of experience and an impressive range of resources at their disposal to investigate various avenues to obtain important information.
However, many people have misconceptions about what these private investigators can and can’t do. If you also have such misconception then keep reading this article to find out what a private investigator can and can’t do.
Are Private Investigators Allowed to Break the Law?
Obviously, the answer to this question will be a big “No” because a private investigator is no different than a nurse or a teacher or a grocer. There are many certain techniques that investigators execute that may seem suspicious but they work within the law.
However, licensing bodies also govern the behavior of private investigators. Except for a few states, a license is required for the investigator according to that state’s standards. These state’s standards aren’t all the name and an investigator is licensed in one state doesn’t mean they are licensed in another. They have to “play by the rules” and can lose their license if they don’t follow the codes of conduct that are set out by their licensing body.
Private investigators cannot impersonate law enforcement and will refuse to take a case if the potential client asks them to do something unlawful.
Can Private Investigator Follow Someone?
Yes, they can follow someone if you tell them so because surveillance is the most common request that people make. While surveillance is perfectly legal if the investigator work’s within the law. It is the practice of closely observing a subject and documenting the interactions, locations, persons, activities, and the subject that is involved in.
Although they are only allowed to conduct surveillance on public property, so the stereotypes of stakeouts and following subjects are mostly correct. There are two types of surveillance cases: 1) fixed surveillance where you are sitting up on a residence or a business. 2) mobile surveillance where you are trying to follow somebody.
If a client is forthcoming and can let the private investigator know what it is they want to be accomplished in the case then that will likely lead to a successful outcome. In order to do proper surveillance, a private investigator in Knoxville, TN should have all the information like photos of the subject, vehicles they may use or information about their daily routine.
Are Investigators Allowed on a Private Property?
No, private investigators aren’t allowed to trespass on a person’s private property. That is because a private investigator shares the same right as a private citizen.
Do Investigators are Allowed to Click Photos of Someone from the Streets?
Yes, they can do that as they are on the public domain. As long as they are not on private property, they can take pictures of someone while still following the law. However, they are not allowed to take pictures inside the residence as it will be considered as trespassing.
Can a Private Investigator Track Someone with GPS?
The answer to this question depends on the state your client belongs. In some states, following by a GPS is legal as long as the client requests the tracking. So, for instance, in an infidelity case, a husband wants his wife’s vehicle tracked by a GPS device. So, as long as he is in that particular car, he can give you written permission to place a GPS tracker on the vehicle.
