What Private Investigators Can (and Can’t) Do Legally

Know the Limits. Work the Truth.

When people hear “private investigator,” their minds often go to trench coats, bugged phones, and back-alley stakeouts. Hollywood loves the drama—but real investigators work within strict legal boundaries that ensure credibility, protect privacy, and hold up in court.

So, what can a PI do… and where’s the line we won’t cross?

✅

What PIs Can Do

1. Conduct Surveillance

Yes, we can watch someone from a public place—discreetly, of course. Surveillance is one of the most effective tools for gathering evidence of fraud, infidelity, or misconduct.

2. Access Public Records

We dig deep into property records, court documents, business licenses, and more. What’s public? Fair game. What’s sealed or protected? Off-limits.

3. Perform Background Checks

From criminal history and civil litigation to employment and education verification, we’re equipped to uncover facts that matter.

4. Interview Witnesses & Associates

We’re trained in extracting reliable information through conversation. It’s not just what people say—it’s how they say it.

5. Locate Missing Persons

Whether it’s a long-lost family member or a hard-to-serve defendant, skip tracing is a PI’s specialty.

❌

What PIs Can’t Do

1. Impersonate Law Enforcement

We may carry a badge—but not that badge. PIs can’t flash fake credentials, make arrests, or pretend to be police. Ever.

2. Wiretap Phones

Nope, not even for a “really good reason.” Wiretapping without all-party consent (in most states like California) is illegal—and any evidence obtained that way? Inadmissible.

3. Trespass or Break Into Property

We stay on the right side of the law—literally. Entering private property without permission crosses the line.

4. Access Bank Accounts or Protected Info

We can’t dig into bank records, phone records, or medical files without proper authorization or legal process.

5. Hack Anything, Anywhere

No hacking. No spoofing. No phishing. We rely on skill, not cybercrime.

The Bottom Line

Private investigators are not above the law—we work within it. The best investigations

come from strategy, patience, and a deep respect for legal limits. That’s how we ensure our findings stand up in court and stand the test of scrutiny.

At Sigma Investigations, we get results the right way—discreetly, ethically, and effectively.