Is surveillance legal?

Surveillance is legal in the State of Texas when conducted by a Licensed State of Texas Private Investigator who conducts the surveillance from a position where he has a legal right to be.

How is a surveillance case documented?

The client will receive a detailed report with photographs, along with a video, which is court ready should the case be litigated.

How much does surveillance cost?

Every surveillance case is unique to itself, in which the investigation is tailored to determine answers to the client’s questions. In the Houston area, cost varies from $85 to $120 per hour. The cost is affected by geographic locations, time the surveillance takes place, and the number of Investigators involved.

How long does surveillance last?

Surveillances are tailored to the client’s needs and budget. A cheating spouse, or custody case usually has at least 3 days of surveillance. There is no standard norm, a case can last anywhere from one week to one month.

Are Investigators able to obtain video inside restaurants, bars, gyms, and retail establishments?

Houston Professional Investigators have special equipment which will allow them to obtain covert video at all these locations.

Who will know about the surveillance?

The confidential report is only provided to the client and his attorney if there is an attorney involved.

Do Investigators testify in court?

All of our Surveillance Investigators have court experience in testifying about their surveillance efforts as detailed in their confidential report.

Can I tape record a conversation without my girlfriend or spouse knowing?

The State of Texas only allows a conversation to be tape recorded if one party or more is aware that the conversation is being taped.

Can I place a tracker on my spouse or girlfriend’s car?

There is a State Statute that allows an individual or company to place a tracker on a vehicle for monitoring by a State Licensed Investigator. This can be accomplished if the specifics of the case meet the Statute’s requirements.

Swearingen Case: Forensic Testing Creates Doubts

Published on June 10, 2009 06-2009 - Private Eyes of Texas - Newsletter,Capital Murder,Criminal Defense

Updated: Feb 11, 2018 @ 3:33 am

Less than 1 minute Reading Time: Minutes

Attorney James Rytting and Attorney Phillip Hilder represented James Swearingen in a highly publicized Montgomery County Capital Murder.

Forensic Test Casts Doubts on Murder Allegation

Based on forensic tests not done at the time of trial, a valid question was raised about how long the victim had been dead before the body was found.

The Defendant had been in the Montgomery County Jail and may possibly have not been in the position to commit the murder. Our investigative services were minimal on this round but we will play a major role in the upcoming investigation.

RESULT BASED ON INVESTIGATION: Stay of Execution in Death Penalty Case

Return to the June 2009 Investigator’s Newsletter