If you've ever Googled "Is it illegal to hire a private investigator?" you're in good company. In Franklin, TN, where neighborhoods are tight-knit and word travels faster than traffic on Murfreesboro Road, lots of people quietly wonder if calling a PI is crossing a legal or ethical line.
And if you're an curious at heart, you're probably the type who likes to untangle systems, understand rules, and challenge assumptions before taking action. So let's break this down clearly, logically, and without the rumor-mill drama.
Is It Illegal to Hire a Private Investigator in Franklin, TN?
Hiring a private investigator in Franklin, TN is completely legal, as long as the investigator you hire is properly licensed by the Tennessee Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission and all investigative activities stay within state and federal law. In Tennessee, private investigators are allowed to conduct surveillance in public places, perform background checks, gather evidence for legal matters, and document behavior relevant to cases like infidelity or child custody. However, neither you nor your PI can break privacy or criminal laws in the process. That means a PI cannot trespass, enter private property without permission, hack a phone, access protected digital accounts, plant tracking devices on vehicles you don't own, or record private conversations without consent. When you hire a licensed Tennessee investigator, their job is to gather information legally, ethically, and discreetly so the evidence is valid and admissible, especially in sensitive matters like divorce or Williamson County custody cases. In short: hiring a PI is legal; asking them to do illegal things is not.
Local Insight
In Franklin, cases often unfold in familiar places... Cool Springs shopping centers, neighborhood parks, or the winding streets of McKay's Mill. And while the scenery feels friendly, the stakes behind PI work are usually anything but.
One local resident (let's call her Maria) suspected her spouse was being untruthful about "late nights at the office." Hiring a PI initially made her nervous. Would it look bad in court? Could she get in trouble? Turns out, the opposite was true. By hiring a licensed Franklin investigator who operated completely within Tennessee law, she obtained solid evidence that her attorney later used to strengthen her position in a Williamson County divorce case. No laws broken. No drama. Clear answers.
Is Hiring Private Investigators Legal?
Yes, 100% legal in Tennessee when done through a properly licensed professional. Tennessee law regulates PIs tightly, which protects you as a client. As long as both you and the investigator stay within lawful boundaries, hiring a PI is not only legal but often an essential step in getting clarity in complicated personal or legal situations.
Can You Sue Someone for Hiring a Private Investigator?
Only under very specific circumstances. Simply hiring a PI isn't grounds for a lawsuit. People usually run into trouble if the investigator they hire breaks the law, such as trespassing or illegally recording someone. In those cases, the conduct is the issue, not the act of hiring a PI. Another scenario: if someone uses a PI to intentionally harass or stalk someone, then civil consequences can come into play. But hiring a licensed Franklin PI for legitimate reasons? Not sue-worthy.
What Is the Average Cost of a Private Investigator?
In Franklin and the greater Williamson County area, most reputable investigators charge:
- $80–$150 per hour
- Retainers ranging $1,500–$2,500
- Higher rates for specialty investigations (cyber, corporate, counter-surveillance)
Costs vary based on case complexity, travel, number of investigators needed, and hourly surveillance requirements. Transparent pricing is a major gap among Franklin PI competitors... so asking upfront is absolutely normal.
Is It Illegal to Hire a Private Investigator to Follow Someone?
No, surveillance itself is legal, as long as it occurs in public spaces where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
However, it becomes illegal if a PI:
- Enters private property without permission
- Plants a tracker on a vehicle you do not own
- Looks through windows, fences, or enclosed areas
- Records audio in private spaces without consent
A licensed Tennessee PI knows these lines well, operates within them, and won't jeopardize your case by crossing them.
If you're in Franklin, TN and considering hiring a private investigator, but want to be sure you're staying on the right side of the law,
The Dillon Agency is here to help. You can ask questions, explore your options, or simply get clarity about your situation before taking the next step. No pressure, no assumptions... just insight when you need it most.
Learn more about our services here.
