How much does it cost to hire a Private Investigator in Mississauga?
Whether inquiring about surveillance services, skip tracing, or investigation a spouse, make sure you hire a licensed, experienced private investigator in Mississauga, Ontario.
A cheap private investigator means corners have been cut, whether that is dealing with inexperienced or unqualified investigators, or a lousy job. This could put you at risk, whether you need to be discreet, or have admissible evidence in court.
There are a handful of private investigation agencies in Mississauga that do not have the necessary qualifications, or experience.
Before diving straight in to price, ask your investigation agency their qualifications, experience, and evidence that they have successfully entered into a court case.
Can Discreet Investigations Testify in Court?
Often times people hire a private investigator to help with a court case with the purpose of presenting evidence. Discreet investigations uses legal and ethical methods to obtain evidence. Our private investigators have presented evidence in many court cases such as:
- child custody
- fraud
- employee investigations
- theft
- domestic abuse
Is it legal to videotape someone?
Ontario law makes it illegal to covertly record oral communications between two or more people without the consent of at least one of the individuals involved. If, however, you choose to record video without any audio input, you may be allowed to do so. A case in point is private investigators, acting on someone else’s behalf.
Similarly, it is illegal to intercept private communications between two or more individuals by use of electronic devices or other means, like spying software and apps. The maximum punishment for intentional interception of communication is the incarceration of up to 5 years and a $5,000 fine.
It is legal to intercept private communications if there is no sound involved. For example, it is perfectly legal to photograph or film people if they are interacting in a place open to public view.
Is it legal to record a conversation, tape a call, or ‘bug’ a telephone?
Secretly recording communications between two or more people is illegal, unless you have the explicit consent of at least one of the individuals, or if you are one of the parties involved.
The law applies if you use an electronic device or other means of intercepting private communications. The police and other government agents are also subjected to the same laws. If they wish to spy on the private communications between two or more people, they must obtain prior authorization from a judge via a warrant.
Cellphone conversations are included in the definition of communications.
What constitutes stalking?
Stalking is also known in legal parlance as “criminal harassment” and includes conduct like:
- Repeatedly following a specific person or people connected to that individual
- Constant attempts of maintaining communication with a specific person or other people known to that individual
- Watching the property or dwelling space of a person
- Threatening conduct aimed at a specific person
Repeated stalking causes another person to fear for their safety and is not prohibited under Ontario law. Punishment for stalking can be up to 10 years, and possibly more if there are prior injunctions barring contact, such as a restraining order.
Rules and regulations
The private investigation industry falls under the regulations of the Ontario Solicitor General – Private Security and Investigative Services Branch. The laws set the foundation for rules and regulations as well as a code of conduct that private investigators must adhere to.
In order to become a private investigator, an individual must possess a valid license and carry it with them while on duty. If they are ever stopped, they must use that to identify themselves.
A private investigator cannot carry any other symbol of authority, such as a badge, or pretend to be an agent of the government. They are not allowed to make an arrest or refer to themselves as a detective, officer, or any other term that may signify that they are a member of a law enforcement body.
Under the terms of the Ontario Solicitor General – Private Security and Investigative Services Branch, a private investigator must act professionally at all times and treat everyone with respect, integrity, and honesty. They are not allowed to use excessive force or engage in abusive language. Furthermore, they must not drink on the job or be under the influence of drugs.
In the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, an individual’s right to privacy is enshrined in law. The law protects them against “unreasonable search or seizure”, and private investigators must comply with all the tenets of the law, too. Therefore, it is illegal for private investigators to enter someone’s property without authorization or remain on a property if the authorization has been revoked. Wiretapping without individual consent or before obtaining a warrant is also prohibited.
Types of investigations we are legally allowed to do
After acquiring a private investigation license, an individual is allowed to:
- conduct background checks
- obtain and provide information on the business character or kind of
- business or occupation of a person
- Search for offenders against the law
- Search for missing persons
- Search for missing property.
In many cases, private investigators are hired to find persons who are missing, because they owe or are owed money to an individual or a company based on a court order, they are part of a criminal investigation, they are the party in a court case, or they cannot be found.
Private investigators can also be used to find missing property and assets, conduct background checks, and assist in child custody investigations.
Legally, a private investigator can use a myriad of research tools to assist their investigation. These include:
- witness statements
- video surveillance
- GPS when authorized
- Photographs
- personal observations
Private investigators often conduct their surveillance in public places such as shopping malls, recreation centers, sports arenas, and more. They also rely on public sources of information for their research, such as:
- Public databases and internet searches to uncover telephone numbers, addresses, and employment information
- Public libraries to find old newspapers for information
- Personal Property Security Registration searches to identify a lien associated with an individual or business
- Bankruptcy records, divorce records, land registry databases, and corporate searches to conduct background inquiries.
A private investigator must never impersonate law enforcement or represent themselves as a government agent. They cannot legally make an arrest, wiretap conversations without proper authorization, or trespass on private property.
Can PIs carry a badge, gun, or other weapons?
Private investigators are allowed to carry firearms under specific situations. Section 20 of the Federal Firearms Act covers this in more detail, but broadly speaking there are 2 situations where it is allowed:
- If the life of the private investigator is under threat
- If the private investigator has additional duties such as transporting cash or other valuable items
Other prohibited weapons such as tear gas, mace, or tasers are not allowed to be carried by private investigators. Batons, handcuffs, and other restraints are not considered to be prohibited weapons and maybe carried, however, they must always be concealed from view.
Are you required to be insured?
Private investigation agencies are required by law to carry general liability insurance. Ontario Solicitor General – Private Security and Investigative Services Branch, the law regulating the private investigation industry, mandates that the minimum general liability insurance requirement for private investigation agencies is $2,000,000.
Some private investigators also carry out additional insurance, known as Errors and Omissions, or E&O, insurance. E&O insurance protects businesses if they are sued by a client who suffered financial losses or damages as a result of the investigator’s errors, omissions, or negligent acts while conducting business.
How to choose a private investigator
Here are a few factors you should consider when choosing a private investigator:
1. Is the investigator licensed?
Investigators must be licensed to provide private investigation services and you must insist on documentation that proves their legality.
You’re able to verify someone’s license status by checking the online Private Security and Investigative Services Licence Registry.
2. Does the private investigation agency carry General Liability Insurance?
An agency or individual contractor must show proof that they have a minimum of $2,000,000 in general liability insurance coverage. Before hiring an agency, you can ask to see proof that the agency’s insurance policy has been maintained.
3. Is the private investigator experienced in the type of investigation you need?
Investigators conduct a range of services, including:
- background checks
- employee fraud investigations
- finding missing persons
- child custody investigations
- domestic dispute investigations
Ask the potential investigator questions like how many years of experience they have, whether they can provide you with references, what their services cost, and what their previous job was.
Discreet investigations have been in business for 30 years and are experienced with both criminal, civil, family, and child investigations. We have the most experienced investigators that come from police backgrounds and work with the top criminal and family lawyers in Ontario. Discreet Investigations sets the bar for standards in the Private Investigations industry.
Are Private Investigators Licensed?
In order to operate as a private investigator in Canada, you must possess a current licence and be affiliated with an authorized agency. Make sure the person you engage is representing a licenced agency by asking them to provide you with the proper identification.
Who Regulates PIs?
The Ontario Solicitor General – Private Security and Investigative Services Branch, which encompasses all Private Investigators and Agencies, all Security Guards, and registry employees who directly hire in-house security personnel, is governed by the Ontario Solicitor General – Private Security and Investigative Services Branch.
Can the Evidence We Provide Be Used In Court?
Private investigators may occasionally be asked to provide evidence gathered during their investigation. It is essential that they take thorough notes and gather all available evidence using legal and moral means. You are in excellent hands with us because our team of private investigators in Mississauga have successfully presented evidence in a variety of court cases.
Is it legal to use a GPS device on someone’s vehicle?
Although there is no law against purchasing a GPS device, there are laws regarding the utilization of such devises.
If a GPS device is used inappropriately, you may be subject to fines, and or criminal charges. We only use GPS devices under lawful circ*mstances.
If you are looking to surveil someone and want to know if it is lawful, contact us for a free consultation.
Will you share any of my information?
Any reputable, and professional Private Investigation Agency you hire is not going to share your information to anyone without your full consent because it is a conflict of interest. However, there are very rare circ*mstances such as a court order that can request the evidence that the private investigator has collected.
Discreet Investigations does everything in our power to secure your privacy. We understand the delicate nature of surveillance and investigation services.
Do you provide legal advice?
We are not a Law Firm and do not offer legal advice.
At Discreet Investigations, we work very closely with the top law firms across Canada and can often times connect you with someone who will get you the answers you need.
Private Investigators and lawyers work very closely together, and it is common for a lawyer to refer their client to a private investigator, and vise versa.
Is the evidence you gather during an investigation or surveillance admissible in court?
Private investigators may occasionally be asked to provide the evidence that they gathered during their investigation or surveillance. It is essential that they take thorough notes and gather all available evidence using legal and moral means. At Discreet Investigations, you are in excellent hands with us because our team of private investigators in Mississauga have successfully presented evidence in a variety of court cases.
Disclaimer
Criminals & civil laws vary from province to province, you should always check with your local authorities and courts regarding the current laws about these situations. Discreet Investigations is not liable for any advice or information provided on this website.
