Why should I hire a private investigator?

You’ll always miss what you are not trained to see. This by all means is not a lack of awareness, but a lack of skill to know what you are looking for. The average person or business owner is naturally blinded by personal biases and overwhelming stressors. Hiring a private investigator removes all these influential obstacles which are the primary reasons for many lawsuits. A private investigator can minimize these costly financial exposures.

Hiring a private investigator has many other advantages for all situations. However, what differentiates the work of a private investigator from what anyone else might do online themselves are three reasons. 1) The work of a private investigator is admissible in any court, arbitration, and civil mediation. 2) Private investigators are licensed by the State of California under the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). This licensing ensures integrity and trust within the state but also allows private investigators access to information and databases which are not accessible by the public, similar to law enforcement. 3) Individuals, businesses, and organizations are less likely to share information with random people due to civil liability and privacy protections. Private Investigators working officially on your behalf are more likely to obtain information due to legal knowledge, identification, and state licensing as a private investigator.

Are you able to work in another state?

The California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) has entered into limited reciprocity agreements with the following states: Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Oregon. Under these agreements, licensed California Private Investigators may continue California-based investigations in the aforementioned states.

Investigators may also continue investigations in states with no licensing agreements such as Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and Wyoming.

If a client’s investigation enters into a state where there is no reciprocity agreement with BSIS, Galilean Investigation will contract a local licensed private investigator within the other state to complete any assignments, or we may notify and seek permission from the local licensing board of other states and notify them of our need to continue an investigation.

Can you explain your pricing?

Galilean Investigation offers two types of pricing. We offer hourly rates for complex investigations and flat rates for simple investigations. Our hourly rate is $250 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours of purchase. Some exceptions may apply. However, we strive to be all-inclusive in our pricing, meaning we absolutely will not surprise you with hidden fees.

The average private investigator may sell you on a $90 an-hour rate, but they may knowingly extend your investigation from an hour to 6-8 hours for their economic benefit. Also while adding hidden fees such as equipment rental, information purchasing, daily market value of fuel, postage, photocopies, and phone calls per minute. You may end up paying between $1,000-$1,375 for an assignment that could have been completed in an hour.

What if I don’t get the results I was hoping for? Do I still have to pay?

All investigations do not offer a guarantee of outcome based on the client’s expectations. The outcome is based on the information gathered in which the client’s budget is allowed.

In regards to whether you still have to pay; If you go to a dentist, and they don’t find any cavities, do you still have to pay? The simple answer is yes. Therefore we require payment before any investigation is initiated.

Can I just go on the internet and buy a background?

Yes, you can, but you’re only buying information that’s already free to you. Online investigations are not investigations. That’s why they’re classified as “checks” and not admissible in court. These websites that offer a background check for less than $100 are search engines that scan the entire internet for the subject in question and provide you with unverified and speculative information on your person of interest. In addition, these websites feed you information on other people you didn’t ask for.

For business owners, you might disqualify a great applicant because someone else with the same name as your applicant was arrested and their record appeared on your unverified internet background check.

What makes Galilean Investigations different?

Our guarantee is what makes us different. Many investigations have a strong possibility of going “Cold” leaving a client feeling angry and taken advantage of. What Galilean Investigations knows from experience is that investigations are all about timing. Therefore, our guarantee is, if a client’s investigation becomes cold and all investigative paths have been exhausted, Galilean Investigations will suspend the client’s investigation. This is not to be confused with termination. If a new lead is developed within one year (365 days) from the date of suspension, Galilean Investigations will re-initiate and continue the client’s investigation for free. This is our guarantee. This guarantee is limited to one re-initiation per investigation.

How soon will I receive the results of my investigation?

This is a question that cannot be answered with absolute certainty because all investigations have unpredictable variables. But, to provide helpful information, Galilean Investigations can give estimated time frames for our most requested investigations.

**These are estimates only, not facts or guarantees**

Background Investigations - 5 -10 business days.

For any investigation involving the recovery of documents from a government agency, the process can be 6 weeks to 6 months. This is due to the response times of these government agencies.

What will I receive in my report?

Due to privacy protection laws, a licensed private investigator cannot provide you with any identifying information that could result in identity theft or sabotage to the person of interest. Depending on the investigation, your report will consist of a narrative written by an investigator detailing their investigation from beginning to end. The report will also have supporting documentation recovered during the investigation, minus identity redactions such as social security numbers and any information related to a juvenile. If any redacted information is needed, said information can be provided to the client’s attorney upon request or directly to the court upon subpoena.

Do I have to tell my investigator everything?

Yes! Do not be ashamed about any details related to your investigation. There is nothing we haven’t heard that you should be ashamed of. However, any omissions which are later discovered or lies which are revealed could jeopardize any legal action related to your investigation and most likely lead to your investigator invoking their right to end all services. This invocation will leave the client liable for the entire contract of services.

How confidential is my investigation?

If you are seeking an investigator to work with your attorney, all information is shared directly with your attorney. If you’re seeking an investigator for a personal or professional matter, all information is shared only with the client who initiated services. Absolutely no information will be shared with the opposing party or person being investigated.

* If the client, while under the representation of an attorney divulges they committed a crime that is not a threat to public safety, the private investigator will notify the client’s attorney.

* If the client, while under the representation of an attorney divulges they will commit a crime that is a threat to public safety, specifically children, the private investigator will notify the client’s attorney. The private investigator reserves the right and moral obligation to notify law enforcement.