Everyone has an idea of private investigators from popular movies, books, and TV shows, but how much of that information is based on fact and how much is pure fiction? Are there real private detectives, and if so, what do they do? Is their work even legal?

There are real private investigators that do legitimate work in finding information, a detective’s main job duty. There are laws that limit how far investigations Noblesville IN can go in seeking out evidence.

Who Hires Private Investigators?

A lawyer may hire a detective to gather evidence on behalf of a client for a court case or lawsuit. This allows someone to perform field work while the attorney conducts research elsewhere. A person who suspects a spouse of infidelity or seeks evidence to strengthen a divorce case may also hire a private investigator. An employers may hire a P.I. to conduct a background check on a prospective employee.

How Are Private Detectives Different From Law Enforcement?

The job of a private detective is solely to collect information. Unlike law enforcement, a private investigator does not make arrests. A P.I. may give evidence at a trial but is otherwise uninvolved in the prosecution of alleged criminals.

How Does the Law Apply To Private Investigators?

Private detectives sometimes occupy a gray area between what is technically legal and what is unethical. The size and shape of this gray area can vary based on the laws of the jurisdiction in which the investigator operates. It is always illegal to enter a building or property without the permission of the owner or occupant, and a private investigator who does so can be charged with breaking and entering or trespassing. Wiretapping, i.e., recording private phone conversations is almost always illegal, as is falsely presenting oneself as a law enforcement official.

There are questions as to whether watching someone without their knowledge is ethical but it is usually legal, especially if the surveillance takes place in public places and/or with the knowledge of law enforcement.