DID YOU KNOW IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR YOU TO HIRE AN UNLICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR?

 Sec. 1702.388. VIOLATION OF CHAPTER; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this chapter for which a specific criminal penalty is not prescribed.(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted under this chapter of failing to hold a license, certificate of insurance, or commission that the person is required to hold under this chapter.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

All private investigators should be licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Private Security Board. Any licensed investigator should have their DPS License number published on any advertisement or website. IT’S THE LAW. Section 35.37 requires, “any advertisement by a licensee to include the company name and address as it appears in the records of the board; and the license number of the licensee as issued by the board.” If this basic information is not plainly outlined in their marketing materials, further documentation should be obtained. If you are unsure you can click here to check for their company’s and individual licensing.

*MAKE SURE YOU ARE HIRING A LICENSED COMPANY AND NOT A REGISTERED INDIVIDUAL. A COMPANY IS REQUIRED TO CARRY INSURANCE AND THE LICENSE WILL BEGIN WITH C OR A. A REGISTRANT IS JUST AN EMPLOYEE OF A COMPANY AND DOES NOT CARRY INSURANCE OR HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACT ON BEHALF OF A COMPANY.

Make sure you don’t become a victim

If and when your issue comes to trial, you want the information you paid for to HELP you. The first thing an opposing attorney will do is look to discredit your investigator. That starts with his or her’s licensing.

Why hire a licensed investigator?

There are many reasons why you should hire a licensed investigator but here are a few:

  • Our investigation will stand up in court

  • We are required to carry insurance

  • We have successfully passed the State of Texas Exam certifying out knowledge

  • We have experience and training

  • We have access to many of the same databases law enforcement use

  • We are required to follow a code of ethics