Is it legal to hire a private investigator to obtain information on the plaintiff for a civil suit I have coming up example photographs videos any other information that could be helpful
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it legal to hire a private investigator to obtain information on the plaintiff for a civil suit I have coming up example photographs videos any other information that could be helpful
Respond asap
Asked on March 26, 2016 under Criminal Law, South Carolina
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Hiring a private investigator is legal. Of course, that doesn't mean that everything the P.I. does or might do would be legal. For example, he can film/photograph the plaintiff in public areas legally; he can't break into the plaintiff's home or email account, however. But as long as each act the P.I. does is itself legal, you can hire an experienced P.I. to do it for you. Note that to use the documentation or information, however, the P.I. will have to take the stand at trial--only a person with "personal knowledge" as to where photos were taken, etc. can introduce them or testify as to them.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.