When people reach out to a private investigator in Murfreesboro, TN, there's usually a turning point moment behind it: something felt off, trust eroded, or a court case needed evidence you couldn't get yourself. But before taking the next step, there's often a hesitation: "Is this even legal?"
It's a fair question. Nobody wants to do something that could backfire or get evidence thrown out. You want the truth, and peace of mind knowing the path to get it is legitimate.
Is It Illegal to Get a Private Investigator to Follow Someone in Murfreesboro, TN?
Hiring a private investigator in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is legal, as long as the investigator is properly licensed and follows state and federal laws while conducting surveillance. A licensed private investigator in Murfreesboro, TN can discreetly observe someone's activities in public spaces, document behaviors, track movements, and gather evidence that may support legal cases... such as child custody disputes, alimony negotiations, or suspected infidelity. What makes this legal is that surveillance occurs without trespassing, impersonating law enforcement, wiretapping, or violating a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Tennessee law recognizes that certain types of surveillance are legitimate forms of evidence gathering, especially in family law and civil cases where credible documentation is essential. However, any attempt to secretly record audio without consent or to enter private property could lead to criminal charges and render evidence unusable in court. That's why working with a licensed Murfreesboro private investigator matters: they know where the legal line is and make sure your case isn't jeopardized. In short, yes, private investigators in Murfreesboro, TN can follow someone, but only within the boundaries of the law.
Is it legal to hire a private investigator to follow someone?
Yes, but legality depends on how surveillance is conducted. Surveillance must stay within legal boundaries, respecting privacy laws and property lines. Licensed private investigators in Murfreesboro, TN understand these limits and operate within them to ensure evidence stands up in court.
Are private detectives allowed to follow you?
Private detectives can observe someone from public or permitted locations, but they cannot stalk, harass, or threaten. When surveillance becomes persistent to the point of intimidation or invasion of privacy, it crosses into illegal territory. A professional private investigator in Murfreesboro avoids these risks by working methodically, not aggressively.
Local Insight: What Murfreesboro Residents Usually Need to Know
In Murfreesboro, most surveillance requests to a private investigator come from family law cases, especially when someone needs documentation to support custody or divorce proceedings. For example, a parent might need evidence of unsafe behaviors around a child, or someone suspects their spouse is secretly cohabitating, which can influence alimony decisions in Tennessee.
One local judge once said during open court proceedings (summarized, not quoted): "Evidence is only useful if it's gathered lawfully."
That's the line private investigators in Murfreesboro, TN walk every day: truth combined with legality.
What is illegal for a private investigator to do?
There's a clear list of hard no's that professional Murfreesboro private investigators avoid:
- Entering someone's home, car, or fenced property without permission
- Hacking into phones, emails, or social accounts
- Recording audio without consent (Tennessee is a one-party consent state, but consent is still required)
- Placing GPS trackers on vehicles you don't own or have permission for
- Impersonating police officers or government officials
- Installing cameras inside private spaces like homes or hotel rooms
When you see surveillance in movies, it's dramatized for entertainment. Real-world private investigators in Murfreesboro, Tennessee earn results by staying disciplined, patient, and ethical, not reckless.
How much does it cost to hire a private investigator?
In Murfreesboro, private investigator costs typically range from $70 to $210 per hour, depending on the complexity of the case. Surveillance work, especially overnight or multi-day, often requires a retainer, usually between $300 and $3,000+. Costs vary because every situation is unique: a cheating spouse case might take days of observation, while locating someone can be faster depending on available information.
When you're considering hiring a private investigator in Murfreesboro, TN, understanding these cost factors helps you plan accordingly and ensures you're working with a professional who values transparency.
If you're in Murfreesboro, here's how we can help
If you're considering hiring a private investigator in Murfreesboro and want to make sure everything is done legally and discreetly, you don't have to figure it all out alone. A quick, pressure-free conversation with
The Dillon Agency can help you understand what's possible and where the legal lines are, so you can move forward confidently.
Whenever you're ready, we're here to answer questions, not push decisions.
Learn more about our private investigator services here.
