Eight Reasons to hire a
PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
1. Experience.
The investigative knowledge attained by a
private investigator in the course of their first month of employment
probably equals or exceeds what most people will learn in a lifetime.
A simple mistake during an investigation can destroy any chance of success
in the future. Remember, if you make a mistake while attempting to
conduct your own investigation, it may well require even the most talented
investigators to spend measurable amounts of additional time to complete an
assignment. More time translates to more expensive.
2. Aptitude.
One of the greatest advantages of using a
licensed private investigator is his or her ability to conduct an
assignment, surreptitiously. If, for example, you attempt to undertake your
own surveillance and you are detected, or even suspected, you can pretty
much be assured that whatever the object of your investigation was will now
change. Criminals, once aware, or even suspicious that they are being
watched will now employ different methods, or perhaps stop their illegal
activities at least for some time. The same applies in domestic
(marital) investigations.
3. Legal
Compliance.
If you are investigating for a
relative or a friend, you may be in violation of the laws governing licensed
private investigators. The fines can be steep, and yes, jail time is
also a distinct possibility.
4. Professional
Peril.
Danger is always a consideration. Ask any
seasoned P.I. and they will surely explain that their highest priority is
the safety of his or her clients and themselves as well. Investigators
are generally well trained in how to handle themselves in the remote event
that they are detected and even confronted. The consequences of being
detected might include retribution. Sadly, this happens more often
than you might imagine when someone is detected conducting a surveillance or
stakeout. In domestic investigations, an unlicensed or untrained
investigator when detected might incur the wrath of such detection, not
only for the investigator, but for his or client(s) as well.
5.
Skill and Talent.
Television does not prepare anyone for real life investigations. Nothing compares to hands-on experience. When we hire our doctors, lawyers, accountants, mechanics and plumbers, we always seek highly trained and credentialed experts to assist us. Most of us have been burned at least a few times by unskilled workers, and those mistakes generally prove to be quite costly, emotionally and financially.
6. Cost.
It is always somewhat amusing when clients
contact a professional and their very first question is "How much to you
charge?" That generally signals that the caller has little regard for
the quality of the service, the experience of the vendor, or the service or
product being considered. It also signals unscrupulous investigators
to offer "low-ball" fees just so they can get new business. In those
instances, you can be assured that the quality of work will suffer, and in
some cases you might be lucky just to get any work done at all. Cost
should be a consideration....always, but it must be measured and balanced
with other considerations. How long do you think the assignment might
take, when will it start, do you work nights and weekends as necessary, and
how long does a typical case such as my own take to be completed?
These are just a few of the questions that you might want to consider before
hiring anyone. Consider the highly experience investigator who may
charge double, or even triple that of the inexperienced firm. One must
consider that if the experienced firm completes their assignment in one
fifth the amount of the time of that taken by the amateur, you are still
paying less for your work in spite of the disparity in hourly, or daily
fees.
7.
Courtroom Experience.
In the event
that your investigator needs to testify, how well will they present
themselves on your behalf? Who is more believable, the investigator
who has never testified, or has only testified
a few times, or a seasoned investigator who has testified dozens, or even
hundreds of times in both state and federal court as well as
mediation/arbitration testimony? Is your investigator going to appear
rough and garrulous, or sophisticated and well versed on the matters that
they will address? Can they testify that they have been qualified as
an expert within various skills of their own profession and about a wide
spectrum of skill sets?
8. The Law.
Private investigators are licensed in most states and are vigorously
tested in order to be issued a license. Even at the real risk of
putting a potential client off, they must be prepared to keep their clients
well informed. Some examples are in the tape recording of others, the
Gramm, Leach, Bliley Act (Privacy Laws) and the Federal Polygraph Protection
Act (1988). All investigators have a responsibility to inform any
potential or current client if they appear to be headed in the wrong (and
illegal) direction. The recent sensational trial and incarceration of
Anthony Pellicano, once known as the "P.I. to the stars" should be all that
is needed to guide the investigator and client alike
that violating even the spirit of the law is something not to be taken
lightly. Mr. Pellicano invited other specialists, including police
officers to join him in his criminal acts and many of these people,
including his own clients were ultimately detected and prosecuted.
Never put yourself at risk and do not allow your investigator to expose you
to potential criminal and civil penalties. Legitimate and well versed
investigators will advise you how to meet your goals while staying well
within the legal guidelines that govern investigative work.
