Atlas Investigations is a private investigation service provider in San Jose that has been around since 1995. The company takes pride in its long-term relationship with clients and their referrals, and some of the services are background checks, employment screening, DNA and forensics testing, and ink fingerprinting. Atlas Investigations offers confidentiality in all its cases.
Avery and Associates Investigations is a private investigation and consulting firm in San Jose that provides professional, discreet, confidential, and thorough investigations. The company offers a range of services, such as surveillance and background checks, and it also supports clients with finding the evidence necessary in winning criminal and civil cases. Avery and Associates Investigations' owner has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, and it routinely works with public agencies, private attorneys, insurance companies, businesses, individuals, and fellow PI agencies.
Cody S Investigations is a private investigation firm in the San Francisco Bay Area that maintains nationwide and worldwide networks. The company offers a range of services relating to civil and domestic investigations, and it also provides support for criminal investigations and business intelligence operations. Clients of Cody S Investigations demonstrate their satisfaction by publishing good reviews on the firm's intuitiveness, organized, hardworking and dependable investigators.
Copeland Investigations is a private investigation company in San Martin. The team focuses on surveillance and insurance claims, and it caters to law offices, insurance companies, corporations, small businesses, and select individuals in California and Hawai'i. Copeland Investigations has been in the industry since 2000, and its output includes photographic evidence and documents that can win court cases.
Creative Security Company is an agency in San Jose that provides high-quality and cost-effective site security services to its customers. The team engages in a range of confidential and challenging tasks, and this includes building security system development and installation, background checks, and surveillance. Creative Security Company is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security, California Apartment Association, and Building Owners and Managers Association International.
Denver B. Moore Investigations is a private investigation company in San Francisco. The agency helps attain the varying goals of clients, and its services include covert surveillance for family and infidelity cases, civil and criminal investigation support, bug detection, missing-person search, and polygraph testing. Denver B. Moore Investigations has been part of the PI industry for more than three decades.
Gotcha Legal Services is a company is San Jose that caters to clients nationwide. The team engages in service of process, private investigations, notary services, court filing assistance, and support in eviction and judgement collection cases. Gotcha Legal Services has been in the business since 1990, and it is a member of the United States Association of Process Servers, National Association of Professional Process Servers, and California Association of Legal Support Professionals.
Harder and Associates Private Investigators is a private investigation company located in Los Altos. The firm guarantees confidentiality by steadfastly upholding the principles of professional and ethical conduct, and it offers surveillance, background checks, skip tracing, asset location, record searches, and similar services. Harder and Associates Private Investigators has been serving the Bay Area since 1959, and it also engages in the delivery of legal documents.
Paula Drake Investigations is a private investigation company in Palo Alto. The firm serves the entire San Francisco Bay Area, and its client list includes law firms, corporate organizations, and individuals. The team conducts surveillance and activity checks, internet investigations and profiling, and missing-person searches, and it also assists with criminal defense and child custody investigation matters. Paula Drake Investigations is a member of California Association of Licensed Investigators, and it offers a free case evaluation.
Prestige Investigations, Inc. is a private investigation company in San Jose that provides discreet and diligent services. The team delivers with promptness, efficiency, and confidentiality, and it provides support in criminal defense cases, such as those involving assault and battery, workplace violence, fraud, and domestic abuse. Prestige Investigations' owner has more than 25 years of honorable law enforcement service with the San Jose Police Department, and he is an active member of California Association of Licensed Investigators, California Narcotics Officers Association, National Notary Association, San Jose Police Officers Association, and Central Coast Gang Investigators Association.
Rivera and Associates is a private investigation agency in Santa Clara that serves all of Northern California. The company has been providing effective and efficient services since 1998, and it offers a range of services, including background and online research, surveillance, missing-person search, and GPS satellite tracking. Rivera and Associates continually receives reviews from satisfied customers through independent industry associations and feedback providers.
Robert Ferris Investigations is a private investigation agency that has been serving all of California since 1990. The team offers its services to individuals, businesses, attorneys, and insurance companies, and it delivers the job with sensitivity, professionalism, confidentiality, and efficiency. Robert Ferris Investigations (license# PI14584) is a member of California Association of Licensed Investigators, and provides a free consultation.
The Freel Agency, Inc. is a private investigation company in San Jose that has a network of more than 2,000 detectives throughout the United States. The team performs a range of tasks, such as civil litigation support, background investigations, and undercover work, and it also helps clients deal with mystery shopping, cheating spouse, and evidence obtainment issues. The Freel Agency, Inc. has been in the industry since 2001, and it holds a California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services license. The firm's private detectives are members of California Association of Licensed Investigators and League of United Latin American Citizens.
Private investigators are experienced individuals hired to carry out detective work. They are fact-finding experts who dedicate time and effort to gather evidence and reveal information that would be difficult to gain through ordinary means. Private investigators can either operate alone or work for an agency.
Yes, private investigators are real. They provide their expertise to anyone who needs an in-depth investigation for an important matter. Whether tracking a long-lost loved one, running background checks, finding missing persons, or conducting general research, private detectives operate with discretion and rarely make the news.
PI work involves a lot of information gathering and fact analysis. Their field assignments involve carefully following persons of interest, conducting surveillance, interviewing people, and, sometimes, going undercover to get more information. They use GPS tracking devices, video recorders, computers, and other technology to collect information.
Private investigators’ ability to conduct examinations and close cases without their targets knowing their involvement makes them very effective. A PI firm may have different personnel, each specializing in a particular field. From computer experts to web-data analysts and field officers, these agents work together to solve cases or complete an objective.
PIs are civilians, so they're required to operate within the confines of the law. Private investigators search multiple online databases, public records, and open source files to collect information. However, they cannot bug phones or hack into online accounts to acquire protected information. They can conduct surveillance on people in public places, but they can't trespass into their homes or property.
It's completely legal to hire a private investigator. The operations of licensed private investigators are also legal and protected by the law. They are, however, subject to scrutiny and strict regulations that ensure they conduct investigations with professionalism and ethics.
The cost of hiring a private investigator depends on the service you need. Most PIs have a fixed rate for services, such as background checks, GPS tracking, record searches, and debt collection, ranging from $50 to $300 or more per day. For complex assignments, including finding missing persons, tracking infidelity, or locating long-lost relatives, the PI may charge per hour or ask for a retainer. On average, a private investigator will cost around $50 to $200 per hour.
Private detectives are well trained and experienced in performing investigations and surveillance without risking exposure. The information they gather can be difficult for an average person to obtain. Hiring a private investigator could provide valuable information, but whether that knowledge is worthwhile depends on your individual needs.
Private investigators are not law enforcement and, in most cases, will refrain from revealing their identity to maintain a low profile. For identification and to confirm their official status, PIs carry a badge and a private investigator’s license.
A private investigator may contact you if:
Private investigators are not easily recognized. However, if you suspect you are being watched or followed, the best option is to call the police and not confront them. It's also advisable to stay indoors until the issue gets resolved since they don't have permission to trespass into your home.
A licensed private investigator can conduct surveillance, record, and even follow suspects. The license gives them a permissible purpose, and they can do so without their actions being regarded as stalking. As long as they don’t intimidate or invade a person's privacy, it's within the confines of the law, and they cannot be charged. If you have concerns about someone who may be a PI, contact the police to discuss your options.
Hiring a private investigator is legal, and you cannot sue someone for hiring one to get information on you. However, if there have been instances of invasion of personal space, harassment, or intimidation, you can sue both the PI and the client for damages incurred.
While there are no fixed academic qualifications for becoming a private investigator, having education and knowledge of the criminal justice system is essential. This enables the investigators to know their limitations without breaking the law. Additionally, most states require PIs to obtain a private investigator's license, which is reviewed regularly to ensure compliance.
Curiosity, persuasion, patience, and the ability to analyze information are all traits required for a successful career as a private investigator. Their work involves interviewing people, observing, and gathering information. This makes the qualities above very important for success in the profession. Having previous experience in law enforcement is also helpful.
Different states have different regulations and requirements before issuing a license. Some of the most common qualifications include completing a private investigation course, two years of work experience, no previous criminal record, and weapons permit for armed personnel. Private investigators are also regularly tested to ensure the validity of their certification.
The most direct path for this career is getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, which usually takes four years. Then take a one-year internship in an investigative firm to gain hands-on experience. Having done this, you can count yourself as a private investigator.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage for private investigators in 2020 was $53,320. Entry-level private investigators with only a high school diploma earn around $30,000, while those with a criminal justice bachelor's degree and over five years of experience make up to $84,000 annually.
