Private Investigation - Some Questions And Answers

What types of jobs can a P.I. have?

A P.I. can work for a wide assortment of companies. They can work for insurance companies that need to have certain claims investigated. They can work for attorneys in civil cases to gather information to help strengthen the case. They can also work for private individuals looking for missing people, backgrounds on individuals or evidence of adultery for a divorce. A P.I. can also work to deliver summons and serve papers for law enforcement agencies or attorneys.

What kinds of hours do private investigators work?

There are no set hours for a private investigator. They sometimes have to work varied hours in order to obtain the information that is needed. A private investigator has to be willing to work and be able to go when they are needed.

What are the normal fees associated with hiring a P.I.?

Private investigators usually charge an hourly rate, a retainer fee and may even bill associated costs. There are no set fees or rates since most private investigators work for themselves. If they work for a company then they might be on an hourly rate or salary. It is always important to discuss the fees when looking to hire a private investigator.

If I want to become a private investigator, what do I need to do?

If you want to become a private investigator you must know the laws of your county and state. Many private investigators are often called upon to testify in court and it is valuable to know the laws in which you are liable under. Usually there are no special laws that exempt a person from certain actions, unlike those protecting police officers, so taking a class may be of use. Many online colleges and technical institutes offer courses in private investigation so it may be useful to check these out. A degree may also offer a sense of security to a potential client that you know what you are doing.

Can private investigators divulge information to other people?

Divulging personal information about a client to outside sources, especially without the client's consent is a huge breech of confidentiality. This can damage a private investigators reliability and credibility. It is always better to lean towards keeping a client's personal information confidential. The exception to this may be if asked to testify in court and ordered by a judge to divulge information.