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Avoiding Costly Mistakes When Hiring an Investigator Near You
As a professional Austin TX private investigator, I get calls every week from people asking, “Why should I go with you when your rates are higher than Company X?” Or even, “I found a private investigator who will work for $500 for the entire week!” It’s a fair question—but the truth is, if someone is charging rock-bottom rates like that, there’s a good chance they are not licensed, insured, or legally operating in the state of Texas. And that could lead to serious consequences for your case and your future. Is a License Really Required for a Private Investigator in Austin, TX? Yes, absolutely. In Texas, all investigations must be conducted under a licensed investigations company. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) makes this crystal clear in Chapter 1702.101 of the Occupations Code, which states: Unless the person holds a license as an investigations company, a person may not:
What About Insurance? In addition to being licensed, all Austin TX private investigators are required by Texas Administrative Code Rule 35.27 to carry liability insurance. This protects you, the client, in case anything goes wrong during the investigation. An uninsured or unlicensed investigator not only puts your case in jeopardy—they expose you to legal liability and financial risk. Why It Matters: Real People, Real Stakes Most people don’t hire an Austin detective unless something serious is happening in their lives. You may be:
Hiring an unlicensed investigator near you may seem like a way to save money, but in reality, you may be throwing it away. Anything they uncover is not admissible in court, and if they’re caught, it could hurt your case—not help it. Watch Out for This Common Scam There’s another issue I’ve seen too often in the Austin private investigation world: an investigator who shows up as “licensed” on the state website, but asks you to pay them directly, in their own name vs paying their company. This is illegal. Even if they’re personally licensed, they cannot operate independently unless they also own a licensed investigations company. By working outside of their registered agency, they are:
The SIG Difference: Trust, Transparency, and Experience At Special Investigations Group, we are fully licensed, bonded, and insured as a top-rated Austin private investigator firm. We don’t just meet the minimum standards—we exceed them. As a licensed investigations company, we: ✅ Supervise every investigator under our license ✅ Maintain full insurance and compliance with Texas law ✅ Provide detailed contracts and clear communication ✅ Stand by your side during and after the investigation ✅ Deliver results that hold up in court We’re proud of our track record helping people just like you—whether it’s uncovering the truth in a major criminal case, protecting your children, or defending your freedom. How to Verify a PI License in Texas If you’re unsure whether a PI or agency is licensed in Texas, don’t guess—verify. Use the official state search tool: Verify a License: https://tops.portal.texas.gov/psp-self-service/search/index Just enter the investigator’s name or company name and check their status. Final Thoughts: You Get What You Pay For When searching for an investigator near me, remember this: Low rates often mean low standards—or illegal activity. A $500/week “deal” may seem attractive, but it could end up costing you far more than money. Whether you’re hiring an Austin detective for civil, criminal, or domestic issues, make sure you’re hiring someone licensed, insured, and reputable. Need a Trusted, Licensed Austin Private Investigator? We’re here to help. Contact Special Investigations Group today for a free confidential consultation and learn how we can get you the results you need—ethically, legally, and professionally. Call now or request an appointment online (512) 844-7933 or https://www.siginvestigator.com/contact-us.html Serving Austin TX and surrounding areas When you search “investigator near me,” make sure you're choosing one who’s certified and licensed to protect your rights.
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 There are several ways a private investigator can help you in court. The first major thing to note is that private investigators are considered expert witnesses. If you hire the right investigative firm, you will have a very powerful tool when it comes to reports and testifying on your behalf.
In civil case, such as child custody or infidelity, we start by discussing your concerns and gather as much information as possible. We then write up a contract that both SIG and you (the client) would sign which covers both parties legally if something should go wrong. I can't stress enough no matter what investigative firm you choose make sure you get a contract. Once that is completed, we design an operational plan which will help us decide the best locations begin conducting the investigation. Many times we scout the location first so that we have a good idea of the surroundings. Some of the things we look for are: is it in a residential neighborhood or in a rural area, are there a lot of neighbors at home during the planned surveillance times, and what are the entry and egress points? After all of that and more we conduct surveillance on the subject and if any inappropriate behavior, or abuse/neglect is going on we document it using video and photographic evidence, along with our written first-hand account in report form. If we witness a crime being committed we report it immediately to the authorities. This includes reporting to Child Protective Services (CPS) as well as police. In child custody cases, we can help recognize set routines, testify on whether the children appear to be safe and healthy, that the children are attending the schools and doctors appointments as ordered, and verify that people that should not be around the children are not around. We can also testify to appropriate supervision of children. We are able to also establish the habits of the parents, including verifying that they are following specific court orders, such as no alcohol within 12 hours of custody of the child. Although these things may take time, the time needed will be well-established before and during the investigation to verify that your investment is worthwhile and that the investigation will help in your case. In a criminal case, we start the same way as in the civil investigation, by signing a contract and establishing an operational plan. In addition, we request discovery from the client's attorney and work with them closely to try and prove guilt or innocence through factual evidence and interviews, as well as surveillance as needed. At SIG, we are very well-versed in Texas and federal law which is necessary and helpful while conducting your investigation. Once we have received discovery from the attorney, we begin researching from the very beginning, before the charge was even made and work it all the way through as if it were a whole new investigation. We examine the evidence, review policy and procedure to verify that nothing was broken, establish if any violations of our client's civil rights may have occurred, review to be sure that the chain of evidence was followed appropriately, and to determine if there are any discrepancies. We also review to verify if there is more evidence, or witnesses that the police didn't find or talk to. We question whether the evidence shows another possible story besides the one that the police built their case on. Sometimes, the evidence is overwhelming that the client did in fact commit the crime, but we may find something that can help get a lesser plea deal, in many cases we have investigated for our clients they end up being cleared of all charges and go free. As a client you know whether or not you committed the crimes you're being accused of, but if you're truthful with us from the start we will do our due diligence to help you get the best outcome possible. |
