A Private Investigator is defined in the Arizona Revised Statutes. ARS 32-2401 16(a) declares that a private investigator is one who “agrees to make or make any investigation for the purpose of obtaining information”. This is an excellent definition for the duties of the Private investigator. It is important to remember the detective works as an aide to law enforcement, and not as a law enforcer.

In conducting his duties as such, the PI is allowed a large degree of latitude, so long as cooperation with law enforcement is maintained. ARS 32-2413 covers detectives from different states coming into Arizona to work on cases where the information needed is located someplace other than the state in which they are licensed. As long as the Investigation team notifies local authorities, and is a licensed, registered PI, in good standing in his own state, Arizona will allow the investigator to conduct fact finding for a period of thirty days. ARS 32-2452 even allows licensed detective to use a false name, so long as they are not impersonating another investigator, a branch or member of law enforcement or a representative of any federal agency.

There is a special relationship between the Investigator and the client. Private Investigators and their agents are not permitted to reveal any information related to the case to any person other than the client. ARS 32-2455 specifies that members of the Arizona Department of Public Saftey shall only request access to files when the client alleges a breach of confidence or of the law by the investigator. However, bear in mind this does not prevent the subpoena of investigative records by a court of law.

At any time, if you think there is misconduct on the part of the private eye you are using, you can report them to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. ARS 32-2404 establishes a hearing board within the department. Their purpose is the supervision and regulation of the Private Investigators in Arizona. The board will review all complaints and vote to determine the proper course of action. Should the grounds for the complaint be baseless, the board can vote to dismiss, or in the case an actual breach exists, the court can decide to impose a fine, suspend or even revoke the private investigator, barring him from performing investigations in the state of Arizona.

According to Arizona Revised Statute 32-2460, the private investigator may employ persons to assist in the functions of the agency who are unregistered and unlicensed by DPS. The only caveat is that the person must be an actual employee of the agency, and not an independent contractor. Moreover, the agency must have a file on the employee, with correct and current information on that employee. The Private investigator must be able to furnish the file to the Arizona Department of Public Safety upon request.

All in all, the law governing the private detectives in Arizona are fairly generous. It allows the investigator to do his duty and creates minimum levels of conduct. It prevents felons from entering the ranks of PI’s and creates a standard of performance for the entire profession, bringing it respectability, legitimacy and most important of all, the confidence of the public.

Author Bio: Joshua Jacoby is a writer of Veritas associates, a private detective agency in Arizona. Josh’s main topics he will be writing about are based on the knowledge of the chief detective of Veritas, Arizona Private Investigator Joe Gordon. Josh is also setting up a blog for the agency, at Arizona-private-investigator.info, which will launch end of September. 9832 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona

Category: Legal
Keywords: Arizona Private Investigator, Private Detective, Private, Investigator, detective,