Frequently Asked Questions — West Front Investigations
Do you have questions about private investigations? West Front Investigations can provide you with answers so you can determine if hiring one of our private investigators in Los Angeles is the right move to make. Check out the most commonly asked questions about private investigations in L.A. below.
Are private investigations legal in the U.S.?
Yes, private investigations are legal in the U.S. However, you must hire a licensed private investigator from a private investigation firm like West Front Investigations to remain within the limits of the law. This firm must abide by state and local regulations while working on your case.
It is at the discretion of individual states to determine whether a private investigator must be licensed. In California, private investigators must meet stringent requirements in order to be granted licensure. According to the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI), these include:
- A thorough criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
- At least three years (2,000 hours/year, 6,000 hours total) of compensated investigative experience, or relevant education, such as a law degree or degree in police science, criminal law, or justice.
- Complete and pass a two-hour multiple-choice examination covering various laws, regulations, terminologies, and other matters related to private investigation.
Always be careful who you hire, as many investigators may be unlicensed and not adhere to legal and ethical standards. To confirm a private investigator is licensed in the state of California, visit CALI’s Find an Investigator page.
What are the duties of a private investigator?
The duties of a private investigator are extensive, to say the least. A private investigator from a Los Angeles-based firm like West Front Investigations will:
- Gather information on individuals as requested by the clients by:
- Conducting interviews
- Taking photographs and videos
- Carrying out research online
- Digging through public records
- Using state-of-the-art technology, including drones, hidden cameras, and GPS trackers
- Writing and preparing court-ready reports
- Securing the chain of custody of evidence obtained
- Testifying in court
At the same time, private investigators aim to abide by all the state and local laws that apply to them.
What information can a private investigator obtain?
A private investigator can obtain lots of information about the individuals they’re investigating at the request of their clients. This includes:
- Personal information
- Information about a person’s employment history, financial information, and more
- Vehicle license plate information, drivers licenses, and driving history
- Criminal records
- Divorce records
- Birth certification
- Marriage licenses
- Liens and judgements
- Home addresses
Private investigators can also attempt to obtain things like an individual’s phone records or internet search browser history, though they will not be permitted to break any laws for the sake of securing this information.
What can a private investigator do in California?
A private investigator in California can do many of the same things they would be able to do in other states, as long as they’re fully licensed by the state and avoid breaking any laws while trying to track down information on behalf of their clients. For example, a private detective in California can investigate crimes, investigate the whereabouts of missing persons and/or lost or stolen property, and investigate individuals and businesses. They can also investigate the causes of fires, accidents, and other incidents.
How much power does a private investigator have?
Private investigators in California have the power to investigate everything from cheating allegations for an angry husband or wife to criminal matters for someone who has seen a police investigation go cold. Private investigators don’t, however, have the same legal authority that law enforcement officers do, regardless of whether or not they’re licensed. Therefore, they aren’t always entitled to gain access to the same information that police officers and other law enforcement agents can.
Do private investigators work with the police?
Private investigators do work with the police in certain cases, especially when they’re able to obtain information that officials haven’t come across yet. It isn’t uncommon for individuals and businesses to contact private investigators to work on crime cases that police haven’t been able to crack on their own yet. Private investigators are not police officers or part of the criminal justice system, though, so while they do sometimes work in tandem with the police, they must follow the law when conducting investigations. They don’t enjoy the same freedoms those in law enforcement do.
What is the difference between a criminal investigator and a private investigator?
There is a simple difference between a criminal investigator and a private investigator. A criminal investigator will work for a police department and take part in an official investigation into a crime. A private investigator, meanwhile, isn’t affiliated with any police department, and although they might have a license, they won’t have the same legal authority and power that a police officer would have while performing an investigation.
Can a civilian hire a private investigator?
Yes, a civilian can hire a private investigator from a private investigation firm like West Front Investigations to provide services. Oftentimes, people will opt to hire private investigators when they would like to investigate an individual or business that doesn’t directly involve a crime being committed. People also choose to hire private investigators when police tell them they’ve investigated a crime and been unable to solve it. Hiring a private investigator provides people with an opportunity to get a fresh set of eyes on a case.
What is unethical for a private investigator?
A private investigator cannot engage in unethical behavior, such as attempting to place someone under arrest, impersonating a law enforcement officer, or carrying a fake police badge. They also aren’t allowed to trespass on private property to obtain information or use other methods to secure information they’re looking for illegally. The top private investigators, including those who work for West Front Investigations in Los Angeles, rely on a code of ethics to guide them throughout their careers. They’re also fully licensed and understand the state and local laws that govern them and the type of work they do.
Are private investigators still a thing?
Yes, private investigators are still a thing, especially in places like Los Angeles where you can hire one from West Front Investigations to investigate a cheating spouse, a shady business partner, a missing person, or anyone else. It’s unclear exactly how many private investigators work throughout the U.S. today, but some reports indicate the number could be close to 100,000.
Can private investigators carry guns in California?
Yes, private investigators in Los Angeles can carry guns, but they’ll need more than just a concealed weapons permit to do it. They’ll also need to pass a firearms training course through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and secure an exposed firearms permit before they’re legally allowed to carry guns.
How much does it cost to hire a private investigator in Los Angeles?
The cost to hire a private investigator in Los Angeles will change on a case-by-case basis. At West Front Investigations, we base our prices on the specific circumstances that surround a case when it’s brought to us as well as the legwork that will need to be done during it.