A private investigator is someone who conducts an investigation in order to uncover certain evidence. Private investigators may have to undergo specific training and may need to be licensed by a state licensing authority. Many retired police officers or military personnel pursue this profession.
Private investigators are able to gather evidence when they’re conducting surveillance, with restrictions that vary from state to state. When they are gathering evidence, if they do find evidence of a crime, they can contact the police department to alert them to the crime. They can then document as much as possible about the crime while they wait for law enforcement officers to arrive. The private investigator can then hand over any evidence they might have to the police officers who arrive at the scene. The information gained by the private investigator can then be used against the arrested person in court to secure a conviction. All evidence that is handed over to law enforcement needs to be gained legally, but private investigators do have a lot of ways to gather evidence before speaking with the police about a crime.
In many cases, private investigators charge an hourly fee that is based on the complexity of the case, the location and other factors. Some services may be available for a flat fee, such as a background or record check. Many private investigators will ask for an upfront retainer before they agree to take the case. You may also have to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that private investigators expend to complete the service, such as mileage, airline charges, copying charges, long distance telephone call charges and photo printing charges.
Private investigators may offer a variety of services to their clients. Law firms may gather information about parties or witnesses in civil or criminal cases by hiring a private investigator. Insurance companies often retain their services to investigate suspicious claims. Private parties may hire private investigators to find missing people, complete surveillance on spouses or unearth hidden assets to enforce a judgment. Field work consists of conducting interviews and completing surveillance work. Once complete, they may create detailed reports that describe their findings and they may testify in court.
Though private investigators can go anywhere that is public, they are not allowed to trespass. They cannot enter a property, house or building that they do not have permission to enter. If the owner of a home gives them permission, they may enter the home to look for information that is needed. However, they cannot break into a home, they cannot pick locks to gain entry, and they cannot use force to enter any building or property. If a private investigator is permitted to enter a building and the owner changes their mind, the private investigator must leave the property immediately.
Private investigators are professionals who are at finding information and can use it to help anyone who needs more information about a person or a business. They must act within the confines of the law to gather the information needed, but they can help with a variety of tasks. A private investigator can work on a variety of different types of cases and can find quite a bit of information without needing to break the law.