IMPORTANT NOTICE TO NEW CLIENTS

 

Most individuals and companies who hire private investigators for the first time are unaware of important laws which apply to investigators in California. In addition to California’s many strict rules, this agency also has important policies about which our clients should be familiar.

 

Fees – Private investigators are required to explain to clients how the client will be charged for services and expenses. This agency has provided or will provide to you a written services agreement which explains the way we calculate and charge for our services and what expenses will be invoiced for reimbursement. Like many professions, private investigators are paid for their time and expertise. And like other professionals, the investigator cannot and does not guarantee a particular outcome but is still entitled to be paid. This agency is no exception. It is important that you carefully review any bills or statements about fees and promptly bring any questions to our attention.

 

Reports – Investigators are required to make periodic reports to clients, either orally or in writing or both. It is important to remember that California law expressly permits investigators to withhold any reports to clients if the client has not paid the investigator in full for services rendered up to that point.

 

Confidentiality – California law requires that private investigators treat information learned during the course of an investigation as confidential. In limited situations, however, investigators are permitted to disclose information about crimes to law enforcement. In addition, investigators can be forced to disclose confidential information if ordered to so by a court. Clients who disclose confidential information received from an investigator to a third person may be waiving their right to claim client/investigator confidentiality in future trials or disputes. Clients should therefore exercise great caution when making disclosures to third parties.

 

Accuracy of information – Private investigators routinely collect information from many sources such as witnesses, commercial and government databases, surveillance, public records and other investigators. Information from those sources – even official government data bases – is sometimes inaccurate. Witnesses sometimes make mistakes and even lie. Databases sometimes contain outright inaccuracies or information about people with similar names. While we endeavor to verify information, it is not always possible. As a result, this agency often cannot give opinions on the truthfulness of witnesses or the accuracy of documents. Clients should therefore exercise great caution when disclosing such information to third parties. In addition, the agency is not a law firm and consequently does not offer legal opinions.

 

Investigation techniques – California and federal laws limit what private investigators can legally do when conducting investigations. This agency will never intentionally violate the law. That means we will not engage in illegal wiretapping, invasions of privacy, trespassing and the like, nor will we assist our clients in doing so.