1. How much does it cost to hire a private detective?

All investigative cases require the execution of a retainer to begin.  Funds are drawn from the retainer on an hourly basis or based on a written agreement.  Depending on the complexity of the case, the use of resources and the inherent risks, most cases commence with a $2K, $5K or $10K retainer.  General investigative hourly rates vary from $105.00/hr. to $250.00/hr. 

Type of payment options:

Hourly:  Payment is based on an hourly investigative rate.
Contingency: Payment is based on percentage of goods/property recovered.
Hybrid Contingency: Payment is based on discounted hourly rate plus a percentage of the recovery.
Reverse Contingency: Payment is based on the amount of money that is saved.
Pro Bono:  Case is solved for free. *Restrictions apply.

Case Example:

A Tempe business owner's warehouse was burglarized and over $100,000.00 dollars worth of equipment was stolen. Since 50% of the stolen property was not insured under the owner's business insurance policy, the owner chose a hybrid contingency for the investigation. 

2.What makes AZDetective.com different from other investigation agencies?

There are three distinct factors that separate us from the average agency:

A.Specialization (Most investigators are general practitioners not specialized)

B.B2B Business Model (over 90% of cases are initiated from businesses)

C.Subcontracting (used only for special circumstances or expert testimony)

Our business model since inception has been a direct-to-business/consumer model.  This means there are no sub-contractual layers between the investigator and the client.  A brief internet search will reveal many agencies advertising investigative services nationwide. Typically, these companies sub-contract the investigation to an out-of-state vendor at a contractual rate much lower than the rate paid by the client.  This industry-wide "out-sourcing" technique creates many legal and investigative quality of service issues. The contracting agency often hires an inexperienced, part-time, unqualified and sometimes unlicensed investigator who is willing to work at more than half of the current investigative rate. The contracting agency is nothing more than a clearinghouse or "middleman" or broker of investigative services. The businesses that regularly employ these techniques are usually concerned more with quantity than quality. Subcontractors and experts should only be utilized when the contractor has demonstrated an expertise in a particular investigative discipline or is needed for expert testimony.  Once a sensitive investigation is "burnt" or evidence is not properly secured and evidentiary spoliation occurs, the case is in serious jeopardy of a successful outcome.

All cases are worked as if they were seen through the eyes of a judge or jury.  This requires an strict adherence to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and The Federal Rules of Evidence. There is a doctrine in criminal law and procedure known as "fruit-of- the-poisonous-tree" which basically states any evidence that is obtained illegally cannot be used in a criminal procedure.  Even though it applies to public law enforcement private sector investigators need to be aware of the principle especially if they are conducting criminal investigations or where they  may be considered an "agent"  of law enforcement. 

The doctrine is an extension of the exclusionary rule, which, subject to some exceptions, prevents evidence obtained in violation of the Forth Amendment from being admitted in a criminal trial. Like the exclusionary rule, the fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree doctrine is intended to deter police from using illegal means to obtain evidence.

When conducting an investigation, the end does not justify the means.  Evidence which cannot withstand the courtroom scrutiny is useless.  Please see our code of ethics:

• Conduct all investigations and with integrity in accordance with all laws, professional and moral guidelines, and never be guilty of conduct which will bring reproach upon the profession or our clients.
• Require a client's undertaking that all information provided by the client is for lawful use only.
• Require that all employees and others assisting in an investigation abide by our Code of Ethics.
• To respect the best interest of our clients by maintaining the high standard of proficiency, while reporting to our clients all the facts discovered whether they be advantageous or detrimental, and nothing be withheld from the clients within the dictates of law.
• Assist all regulatory and legal authorities when required to do so by law.
• To respect the privacy of clients and their lawful confidence.
• To conduct each and every phase of every investigation in a fair and impartial manner, not only to our client but also to every subject, witness, person, or entity affected by our investigations.
• To ensure that services are adequately secure to protect privacy and to guard against inadvertent disclosure of private information.
• To protect the individual privacy rights of each subject and client and to conduct our investigations in balance with those rights.
• To ensure that all employees and other persons paid to assist an investigation adhere to this Code of Ethics and to accept responsibility thereof.

3. I don't think the authorities are doing enough to solve my case. Can you assist?

Unfortunately, the majority of law enforcement agencies (federal, state, local) are overworked and severely understaffed. Most public investigators are generalists who carry an extremely heavy caseload and only certain cases receive priority. Due to the federal governments refusal to accept cases that they previously investigated (pre-9-11) it has placed a burden on local law enforcement. Some serious crimes may never be assigned or take too long to be assigned because of the bureaucratic delays associated with public agencies. Crime statistics and empirical data reveal the solvability of FBI Part I crimes decreases substantially as time passes. If the case is not being actively investigated the closure rate will also be reduced.   Some police agencies don't have the resources or time to investigate serious criminal felonies.  Depending on the specifics of your case, we may be able to assist.  Cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

5.  What would happen if a friend were conduct an investigation or surveillance for me?

Unlicensed activity is not recommended for any type of investigation.  Field investigative  work and surveillance operations can often be dangerous and unpredictable. In order for these particular types of operations to be accomplished correctly requires specific training, equipment, skills and experience.

Secondly, the State of Arizona has very specific licensing requirements, as do many of the other states.  All qualifying party agency detectives in AZ are required to meet all of the mandated requirements, before they can obtain an agency license. This license has to be renewed every two years, without exception.  Employees of  the agency  must  clear a FBI  background check.  Currently, there are no statutory experience or education requirements for employees.

If an "unlicensed person" or "friend" tries to conduct a surveillance on their own and any of the  law enforcement agencies become involved as the result of the information, these persons may be subject to criminal charges such as operating without a license, stalking, harassment and so forth.

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