Do these private investigators have the right to enter a home?

[AlphaCentauri]

http://www.usfrs.us/

[havocmom]

1. Without invitation, a private citizen would likely be trespassing

A PI isn't a cop with a warrent.

[AlphaCentauri]

2. Could they get a warrant?

n/t

[havocmom]

6. I doubt if THEY could. They are not law enforcement, they are private businessmen/women

They might offer information TO law enforcement. Law enforcement might then decide to get a warrant.

Could YOU (assuming you are not a cop or officer of the court) get a warrant to go through a stranger's home/business? Seems unlikely a judge would grant private citizens like you or I a warrant to go through someone's thing. We could hire an officer of the court (lawyer), file suit and have the lawyer seek information/evidence. But that would be through courts & law enforcement.

If you and I broke in to get stuff & info, we would go down, just like the Watergate burglars, only much faster ;) A private detective would likely be charged too, if caught.

[madrchsod]

3. depending on the state it is yes or no.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_hunter

[lepus]

8. It also depends on the states castle laws,,,

While they are good on the federal side for going into a home without a warrant, many states will prosecute them if they are not licensed and practicing according to state law. Many states demand that a bounty hunter must notify local LEO when working in an area, and for entering homes without permission.

Also in most states with a castle law, if they demand entry into your home and you deny them, you can lawfully shoot them if they force entry if you are not the person they are trying to retrieve. The federal law just gives them a level of protection from lawsuits, not bullets.

My personal belief is the federal bounty hunter laws need to be rewritten to respect the constitutional rights of non-players.

[madrchsod]

4. these guys and gals are bounty hunters not p i`s

[Old Codger]

5. They can

And do, they can do things that LEO's cannot do, they do not need warrants usually if they are in "pursuit" They sometimes try to get local law enforcement to back them up and work with them but they are private citizens and as such actually are not subject to the same constraints as sworn officers of the law are...

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.