Private Eye Laws

A private investigator is a business owner for his or her own investigation firm. A private eye has a different set of laws that they are responsible for following; they do not necessarily follow the traditional law-enforcement guidelines. Laws governing private investigators can differ from state to state.

A French soldier, who was a criminal himself, founded the first private detective agency in 1833. Eugene Francois Vidocq staffed his agency with ex-convicts, which were eventually closed down by the police. Private investigative agencies began to spread all over. Most citizens call on private investigators when they feel that the local police aren’t doing a good job; this has led to a strained relationship between traditional police and private detectives.

Private investigators are hired in divorce cases to gather dirt against one of the parties involved. Many private investigators take on jobs for attorneys or insurance companies to gather information for court cases or claims. Some private investigators work as personal bodyguards.   

Some states require private investigators to be licensed and other states require a license and law-enforcement training. Most states around the U.S. do not require any sort of licensing or training, which allows anyone who feels qualified to do private investigative work.   

States that require license, as well as states that do require a license for investigative work, all have laws that govern how private investigators operate. Carrying a gun is not automatically allowed among investigators. A private investigator must have a license to carry a weapon just as any other citizen. Private investigators that cross the state line or leave the country must follow the guidelines of that state or country or they can be subject to fines and imprisonment.