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Utilizing a Private Investigatorwithout getting into trouble
Presented by:Maisie A. BarringerRob L. Kimmons
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Client is NOT a PI• DON’T ADVISE YOUR CLIENT TO PERFORM
SURVEILLANCE OR ANY OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL SNOOPING AS CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CHARGES COULD FOLLOW
• DON’T ALLOW YOUR CLIENT TO ASSIST THE PI IN SURVEILLANCE
• EXPLAIN TO YOUR CLIENT THAT THE PI WILL NOT COMMUNICATE DURING SURVEILLANCE (BLUE MOON)
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Investigate Your Investigator
• Check the state licensing board for complaints, insurance coverage and license status
• www.dps.texas.gov.rsd/psb/index
• Check length of time in practice, ask if they are experienced in “domestic” work
• Possible other “domestic” referrals
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Who is a PI?• Must be licensed by the state of Texas
• Attorneys while engaged in the practice of law are exempted
• Off-duty police officers are NOT allowed to perform PI work unless they hold a license
• Hiring an unlicensed PI to perform investigations carries a criminal penalty in the state of Texas
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What Can a PI Do?• Locate people
• Find assets/“bugs”
• Run license plates
• Locate and interview witnesses
• Locate criminal records
• Rebuild wiped computer hard-drives
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PI Cannot Do:• Trespass on private property
• Impersonate law enforcement
• Wiretap without consent or record a private conversation of which no party has knowledge
• Tamper with mail
• Harass or act unlawfully
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Invasions of Privacy• Setting up video in client’s bedroom
• Entering private offices without permission
• Entering home without permission
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Tips for Clients• Don’t use tracking devices or spyware for
property you don’t own• Don’t intercept text messages/emails without
consent • Don’t impersonate someone or create fake social
media profiles• Harass others (particularly in social media)
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Disclosure of the PI• Discovery requests
• Retained expert/consulting only expert
• Retained by the client versus the attorney