by ·Comments Off on Rules and Regulations for Private Investigators

There are too many myths associated with private investigators. The inaccurate representation of private investigators in films and TV has led to dozens of misconceptions about what private investigators can do.

In some states, private investigators go through an intense licensing process, working under other licensed investigators, and taking exams. Some states require them to register. Due to the nonuniformity of state laws, investigators access to information and tools vary from state to state.

Regardless of the licensing laws and regulations, there are several things that PIs aren’t allowed to do.

 

Things a Private Investigator Can’t Do

  1. Trespass

A PI isn’t allowed to enter a house, building, or property through illegal means like breaking. Trespassing law varies from state to state. In some states, they must have permission from the owner to enter a house or building. In Illinois, PIs are exempted from the trespassing law when working as servers to serve legal documents. Read more on trespassing law here

 

  1. Enter your place of business or home without consent

PIs are not allowed to enter your home without your knowledge and permission. They should leave your premises without questioning if you order them.

 

  1. Wiretap phone without consent

The federal law prohibits PIs from monitoring and wiretapping phone conversations without consent. In most cases, they work with local police as a warrant not to break local and federal laws when wiretapping a phone.

 

  1. Participate in unethical practice

Unethical practice refers to anything that can put another individual in danger. Investigators aren’t allowed to use unacceptable methods to obtain information. They shouldn’t provide information to a stalker or a person who might put another person in danger in whichever way.

 

  1. Break law

In addition to the limitations on how they obtain information and use it, investigators shouldn’t harass, use bribery, hack, or impersonate. They aren’t allowed to break the law on behalf of their clients.

 

  1. Impersonate Law Enforcement

PIs aren’t allowed to carry their badges, use any logo, wear a uniform, or use any method to that phrases them as police officers or federal officials.

 

  1. Record a conversation of which no party has knowledge

Private investigators should record a conversation if one or both parties know is aware. In some states, they only record when both parties are alerted. Read more on recording audio consents here

 

  1. Hack into an email account or social media

Some investigators have software that gives them access to information about profiles, like when was a picture posted. They are allowed to use such software. However, they aren’t allowed to use any means to gain access to the account.

 

  1. Run a credit check

Credit reports are private documents. A PI must have consent before running a credit check. He or she is also required to have a legal purpose.

 

  1. Arrest

In the US, private investigators aren’t authorized to arrest. In countries like Canada, they are allowed to arrest in certain circumstances. In some states, they are allowed to serve an arrest warrant under certain circumstances. Read more on private arrest here: 

by ·Comments Off on What Private Investigator Cannot Do

There are a lot of misconceptions about what the private investigators can legally do. Although many people admire the career of private investigators and detectives, sometimes it is stressful. For instance, private investigators in Adelaide offer surveillance of business, people, and institutions with investigative information and research that is public-oriented but hard to have access to. The PI can actually assist in separating facts from fiction.

The primary duties of a PI are to seek information and verify facts in the legal field, corporate, and financial intel. A lot of people prefer working with PI simply because they are from the military; have a law enforcement background or government investigation. They are basically assertive, confrontational, and outspoken. If you are looking forward to hiring a PI to launch a general investigation or run a background check, then you need to have a realistic and solid understanding of what s/he can and cannot do. In this piece, we are going to have a closer look at what a PI cannot do. Let’s get started!

1. Record Private Conversation

A PI cannot legally record a conversation. If you thought of hiring a PI with the intention of catching a verbal conversation or compiling some incriminating evidence, then you are wrong. S/he cannot help with that. Basically, this varies from one state to another. In some states, the recording is legal unless all parties are aware of it. In other states, the recording is legal as long as one party is aware of it. Ensure that you consult before thinking of hiring one.

2. Access to Private Information

Basically, no one is entitled to accessing your private information. You can sue anyone who you find trying to access your information. The same case applies to PIs, they don’t have the authority of accessing your information. What they basically have is the knowledge to find any of your information. For instance, a PI will know you have a bank account, however; s/he will not know your balance or any other information unless authorized by the law. S/he will know the last person you called with your phone but s/he will not know what you were discussing.

3. Trespass

No one should enter a property, building, or home through any illegal means. PIs are therefore no exceptions! In most cases, they will need to have a written agreement to enter into your property. S/he will also ask you for verbal communication if they want to visit your premises.

4. Make Arrests

The PIs are not authorized to make an arrest. In case they find you guilty, they will call the law enforcement officers. With that in mind, the only time when a PI can make an arrest is when s/he witnesses a firsthand crime. With this myth, it is essential to note that private investigators are entitled to be investigators and not private officers.

Conclusion
These are a few things private investigator in Adelaide will not do. There are others which I’ve not mentioned. Feel free to research then and keep them on your fingertips.