What Can a Private Investigator Legally See and Track in Texas?

The Legal Boundaries of Private Investigation in Texas

Private investigators in Texas operate under specific legal frameworks. Understanding what is — and isn't — legal is critical for admissible evidence and compliance.

Surveillance: What's Legal?

In Texas, private investigators can legally:

• Conduct visual surveillance in public places where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy
• Photograph and record activity visible from public property
• Follow and document a subject's movements in public
• Use databases to locate individuals and assets (with proper licensing)

However, investigators cannot:

• Trespass on private property
• Hack into email or social media accounts
• Record conversations without consent (Texas is a one-party consent state, meaning at least one party must consent to the recording)
• Install GPS tracking devices on a vehicle without the owner's consent

GPS Tracking Laws in Texas

Texas Penal Code Section 16.06 makes it a criminal offense to install a tracking device on a vehicle without the owner's consent. Licensed investigators must comply with this law and rely on other methods for tracking.

Background Checks: What Can Be Found?

Licensed Texas investigators can access:

• Criminal history records (through authorized channels)
• Civil court records and filings
• Property and asset records
• Business affiliations and corporate filings
• Professional licenses and disciplinary actions
• Bankruptcy records

Admissible Evidence

For evidence to be admissible in Texas courts, it must be:

• Legally obtained (no trespassing, hacking, or illegal recording)
• Properly documented with dates, times, and locations
• Authenticated by the investigator who collected it
• Relevant to the case at hand

Hiring a Licensed Investigator

Always verify that your investigator holds a valid Texas Private Security License. DFW Legal & Serve Company operates under License #A31041201 and adheres to all Texas privacy and surveillance laws.

Need a licensed private investigator in Dallas-Fort Worth? Call 214-601-7460.