5 Things Private Investigators Can and Can't Do


Originally posted on 11/08/2016

Two private investigators stakeout a person of interest.Have you been frustrated with a case that doesn't move forward?

Many people dealing with a stuck case might consider hiring a private investigator. These professionals have a large amount of experience and an impressive array of resources at their disposal to investigate various avenues to obtain important information. However, many people have misconceptions about what rules private investigators must follow.

Keep reading to understand what private investigators can and cannot do.

Cannot Wiretap

First and foremost, private investigators cannot wiretap people's phones. Many people ask private investigators to record phone calls. While private investigators are physically capable of doing this, wiretapping a phone requires the consent of the other party. Good luck obtaining this kind of consent from anyone. Additionally, private investigators cannot hack into computers to obtain information, as this is illegal and a violation of privacy.

Cannot Trespass on Private Property

Next, private investigators also cannot trespass on private property. They cannot break into people's homes, cars, or other buildings without the consent of the other party. This is as true for law enforcement as it is for private investigators. This includes reading other people's mail. This also requires their consent.

Cannot Arrest Anyone

Private investigators also cannot arrest anyone. Because private investigators are not law enforcement, they are not allowed to arrest people. Private investigators do not have the authority to make arrests, and they cannot carry a badge or impersonate a law enforcement officer. On the other hand, if they witness a crime in progress, they are allowed to take steps to stop this crime. For example, if they see someone being assaulted, they can jump in and try to stop the attack.

Can Run License Plate Numbers

What can private investigators do? First, they are allowed to run a license plate. This can yield valuable information for certain people. On the other hand, even this has limits. There must be some sort of legal grounds for running this license plate before they do so. Make sure to read the law carefully to make sure there are legal grounds.

Can Perform Background Checks

In addition, private investigators are allowed to perform background checks on people. Private investigators often have access to expensive equipment and databases that collect public information from various location. This can reveal valuable information about a person that another party might care about. Background checks will reveal sensitive information such as criminal charges and convictions.

Get Private Investigative Services from Trusted Professionals

If you're in the Maryland area and are looking for a private investigator or process serving services, contact the skilled team at Same Day Process today. If you need a private investigator for any reason, be sure to work with a licensed and reputable firm. Same Day Process offers all process serving services, including private investigation. Contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can help.

Mobile Notary Services FAQs

Originally published ​March 1, 2016. Last updated April 30, 2023. Mobile notary services provide a convenient and accessible option for individuals who require notarial acts but cannot travel to a traditional notary's office or need...

The Importance of Process Serving in Legal System

Originally published 01/19/2016. Last updated 04/05/2023. The United States judicial system operates on the principles of fairness and due process. This system aims to ensure that all parties involved in a legal case receive equal and...

What Happens If I Avoid A Process Server?

Original Post: 07/31/2017 If you are looking to sue someone, divorce them, obtain child support, or many other legal issues, you may attempt to have the papers served to them. A process server can be hired to track them down and serve the...

What should I expect from my process server?

Navigating the legal world is a challenge, but finding an experienced, reliable, and knowledgeable process server shouldn’t be. Here at Same Day Process, we treat each client as our only client and go above and beyond to assure each case is...

The Signs of a Trustworthy Process Server

Blog originally published on December 11, 2015. Updated on December 8, 2022. When beginning legal proceedings, it’s extremely important to have an iron-clad process serving procedure in place for any legal document you need to deliver....

The Benefits of Hiring a Private Investigator

Originally posted on 07/05/2016 We all want more info in life, but sometimes that information is hard to come by. A private investigator can help to uncover important information including a search for a person's whereabouts. Private...
Page: 123456 - All