The Dangers of Being a Process Server and Private Investigator

The Dangers of Being a Process Server and Private Investigator

            Many people unfairly dislike process servers and sometimes have only a slightly more favourable attitude toward Oklahoma private investigators.  Indeed, certain police officers from suburban departments have actually smiled when they saw a process server get hurt.  Any private detective or process server who has served in the field for any length of time knows all too well that life threatening dangers abound.  Indeed, this is why many of them choose to go armed, wear bullet proof vests, carry tasers, pepper spray, and more.  From the looks of other stories out there in the news, they have good reason to do so . . .  http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/process-server-killed-children-choked-in-divorce-dispute.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com explores some of the dangers that process servers and armed private investigators face, as well as preventive and responsive measures that can help reduce the risks associated with the profession.

            As noted above, it is often advisable for process servers and Oklahoma private investigators to help ensure that they always carry tasers, firearms, pepper spray, and wear bullet proof vests when allowed to do so by law.  Oklahoma process servers can strengthen their position for carrying protective items by obtaining a Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) license as an armed security guard and private investigator. 

In addition, by getting an open carry license, carrying a gun openly is often a possibility.  While carrying any sort of offensive or defensive tool is always discretionary and may not may not always be beneficial, doing so can sometimes help deter would-be attackers.  Of course, having the right training in how to properly utilize a firearm or other protective devices is equally important.  It can also help reduce the chances that someone could take them away and use them against a private detective or Oklahoma City process server.

It also goes without saying that it is very important to ensure that each process server and private investigator knows as much as possible about each person he or she is going to serve or investigate.  Running background checks and asking the client for as much information before starting any services can also prove to be beneficial.  Of course, since clients do not always know how someone will react and because not all potentially violent people have criminal records, it is imperative that all process servers and private investigators treat all cases and individuals they encounter as potentially dangerous.  In as much as police officers do not have any “routine” traffic stops, the same also holds true for process servers and Oklahoma City private investigators.

Another helpful tactic for Oklahoma process servers and private investigators is for them to let the police, other colleagues, and even family members know where they will be, for how long, and when they expect to return.  If something ever goes wrong, at least someone will know the private detective or process server’s approximate whereabouts.  That way the police and family members can have a starting point to know where to go to provide assistance or even locate a missing body.

Letting the police know about one’s presence in advance also has another added benefit.  Doing so can sometimes put their minds at greater ease and might prevent law enforcement officials from coming out to unnecessarily blow a private investigator’s cover, while he or she is on an important stakeout, conducting surveillance, etc.  Of course, this could potentially backfire if the police are relatives or friends of those whom the process server is serving or who are the subject of an investigation.  Thus, informing the police of one’s whereabouts should only take place with good discretion when it will not jeopardize the case.

If something ever goes wrong, it is imperative to contact the police or other local law enforcement immediately.  All too often private detectives and process servers in Oklahoma City, Yukon, Norman, Moore, Edmond, Tulsa, Stillwater and elsewhere wait too long or do not call the police when someone tries to hurt them or impede their investigation.  At other times, they will contact colleagues or family members.  While getting backup and support from colleagues and family can certainly prove to be helpful in some cases, it is not always the best method.  Waiting to call the police can not only jeopardize the successful completion of the task at hand, but it can also increase the actual risk of physical harm to Oklahoma process servers and those working for private investigation companies. 

Of course, calling the police is completely counterproductive if the jurisdiction lies within the Edmond Police Department in Edmond, Oklahoma.  This is why it is imperative for private investigators and process servers to always try to gauge the way everyone they come into contact with acts.  Where could an individual possibly be carrying a weapon?  Which people appear frightened, angry, or homicidal?  What do their body language and facial expressions say about them?  Knowing potential warning signs and threats is one of the most proactive approaches to safety that all Oklahoma City process servers and Oklahoma private investigators can take.

These are just a few of the many ways in which a process server or private investigator can work to reduce the risks often associated with their dangerous professions.  There is no perfect system to guarantee safety and prevent all threats 100 percent of the time.  However, private investigation firms and process serving companies which encourage effective preventive techniques and appropriate responsive measures can better protect their employees and thus better serve their clientele.  

How Oklahoma Private Investigators Can Write Effective Surveillance Reports

How Oklahoma Private Investigators Can Write Effective Surveillance Reports

            Oklahoma private investigators often perform surveillance in a variety of situations.  From investigating cheating spouses to custody cases and more, private investigators often need to write up reports for their clients.  This is particularly important, as Oklahoma private investigators’ reports often end up before judges and elsewhere in courtrooms.  Private detectives need to know the best practices for writing reports.  By doing so, it will help their clients, too.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com examines some tactics which can help with writing these special reports.

            First and foremost, it is vital that private investigation companies that are writing reports include the facts and exclude opinions.  Commentaries have no place in formal written reports, and they can often do more harm than good in the courtroom.  It is indeed as  they used to say in the television show Dragnet, “Just the facts, Ma’am.”

            The formal presentation of the written investigative report is also just as important.  The following is an outline which is often helpful to private detectives in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Yukon, Tulsa and elsewhere.  While there is no set format per se, the following can be helpful for a private investigator to use:

Summary Report - Surveillance Performed for [Insert Name Here]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

It is often helpful to include the name of the person for whom the private investigator has prepared the investigative report.  The word “for” can be changed to “on” and the name that follows thereafter may also be different.

Location:

This is an important place for an Oklahoma private detective to note the location(s) where the surveillance took place.  The areas may include several places, and the private investigation company should also note the times that the surveillance took place.  All reports should accurately reflect the date and time stamps of any video recording devices the private investigator used.

Purpose:

This is the place where an Oklahoma City private investigator should note the purpose of the investigation.  Was the purpose to find out if a married husband was visiting a special lover?  Perhaps there is a court order that specifically prohibits a husband or wife from cohabitating with anyone else while divorce proceedings are in progress.  Whatever the reason for the private investigation, the person conducting it should carefully but succinctly note the purpose(s) of conducting the investigation itself.

Integrity:

Some Oklahoma private investigators prefer to make note of integrity footage they took while on surveillance.  This time and date stamped video footage can show which times that the private investigator was still out there.  This way if a private investigator is ever asked how he or she knew if someone was at a particular place all night long, then the integrity shots can help prove the private detective’s continued presence in the area. 

Observations:

This is the perfect area for the Oklahoma private detective to denote what he or she saw.  Who was there?  What happened?  When did these events take place?  Where did everything happen?  Once again, it is important for the private detective to be thorough, but also clear and concise.  Commentaries and opinions are not necessary.

Identification of the Subjects:

This is the perfect spot for an Oklahoma private investigator to list how he or she identified the subjects in the video.  Did he or she have photographs of the individuals in the video footage beforehand?  Perhaps the client provided photographs or at least a physical description of the person beforehand.  It is important for surveillance purposes for the licensed private investigator to be able to properly identify the person or individuals he or she is conducting surveillance on.  Of course, sometimes this is not always possible, especially if the subjects are not known. 

What if there are people in the video that the private detective could identify but others that he or she could not?  Sometimes other people who are not known to the client or the private investigator unexpectedly appear.  If there are unidentifiable people in the video footage, a private investigator definitely needs to note this in the written report. 

All Oklahoma private investigators should be sure to include their names, private investigator license numbers, and private investigation agency license number(s).  This is extremely vital, if others are to view the report with any credibility.  A report, which should include the date it is signed, is not official unless signed by all private detectives involved in the case.  Private investigators should take great care to do so in front of an Oklahoma notary public.  The signature area can look something like the following:

         _________________________                      _________________________            

         [Insert Private Investigator’s Name Here],                       Date:

         Licensed Private Investigator

         PI License #: [Insert # Here]

         Agency License #: [Insert # Here]

All private detectives should ensure that a notary public has authenticated the signature of their investigative reports.  This makes a formal written report more credible, and it helps the judge know that the client or some unknown party did not unlawfully forge the private investigator’s signature.  A sample notary statement that reports can include is as follows:

Signed and affirmed before me, _______________________, a notary public for the State of Oklahoma, by [Insert the private investigator’s name here], on this _______ day of _______, 2013.

Each investigative report should also include page numbers (i.e., Page 1 of 3) and places on each page for the private investigator or private detectives to initial.  This helps to ensure the integrity of the report, and it makes it harder for someone to change out pages for unethical purposes.

Private investigation reports can really help to present the findings in the best possible, accurate, organized light.  They can greatly complement video footage, photographs, and courtroom testimony, if applicable.  All Oklahoma private investigation agencies should ensure that their private detectives prepare and write professional reports for their clients.  Doing so not only benefits the people they serve, but it also adds to the professionalism of those working in the field.

Oklahoma Private Investigators, Process Servers, Mobile Notaries and Other Professionals Should Support Marriage Equality

Oklahoma Private Investigators, Process Servers, Mobile Notaries and Other Professionals Should Support Marriage Equality

            Oklahoma private investigators, process servers and other professionals should support marriage equality.  After all, this is the twenty-first century.  Those that inhabit our world should not be living back in the medieval ages, and we have an inherent responsibility to learn, grow, and evolve.  There are numerous reasons that Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers (OJPS) www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com supports marriage equality, and our company contends that others definitely should, too. 

            Most of the people who rant against those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgendered cite religious sources.  These same religious tomes such as the Bible also condemn working on the Sabbath and wearing cloth made from more than one fabric.  The Old Testament section of the Bible, upon which the basis for condemning homosexuality is made, also allows for slavery and the selling of our daughters.  Sadly, the list goes on and on.  The West Wing did a rather praiseworthy job of showing the fallacies of such contentions here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-ip47WYWc.  Process Servers and private investigators should take some time to view this YouTube video. 

Is our population so backward and stuck in the past that the best we can do is to thump the Bible or some other religious text?  Are we seriously that out of touch with reality?  Even various prominent cardinals have asserted that the Roman Catholic Church, among other religious institutions, is at least 200 years behind the times, and look what is happening to it.  Christ and other spiritual leaders/guides preached love, acceptance, humility, and the importance of not judging one another, but all too often the very opposite happens.  Sadly, religion is not the only basis upon which human process servers, private investigators, and deception experts who oppose marriage equality make their contentions.

            Many Oklahoma private investigators and other humans assert, “Well, being gay or lesbian is a choice.”  Really?  Well, the last time I checked, I and everyone I know have found ourselves unable to simply go wake up tomorrow and say, “Well, today I am heterosexual, but tomorrow I think I will be homosexual.  Then the day after that I think I will choose to be bisexual.”  The same thing applies to those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered.  Who among you reading this can make the decision to change your sexual orientation or identity with the snap of your fingers?  Many people have tried to do so for years, only to suffer horribly and not have any success with it.  Indeed, even prestigious organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA) have shown their support for marriage equality and equal rights for the LGBT community.

            Numerous anti-gay advocates, including many process servers, private investigators, and notary public officials, have contended that parents who are gay will turn their kids gay.  Well, if that is the case, then why is it that all of these “straight” parents keep having kids who are LGBT?  Likewise, there is no empirical evidence to prove that parents who are gay or lesbian will “turn their kids gay”.  This assertion is absurd, and we should be careful not to spread hatred and bigotry off of yet another incredibly fallible assertion.

            Then there is the issue of whether or not two mummies or two daddies can properly raise a child or several children.  The answer is clear: yes, they can!  Once again, there is no empirical evidence to show that two mummies or daddies raising kids do a better or worse job than the “traditional” mummy and daddy combination.  Besides, how many kids grow up with parents who are divorced, on drugs, in jail, abusive parents, and even parents who simply do not want to be involved in their children’s lives?  Any kid with two loving and dedicated mummies, daddies, or a mummy/daddy combination is extremely lucky!

            Process servers, private investigators, notaries, and others who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered are not bad people, are not going to “Hell”, and should have the same right to enjoy all of the benefits of legalized marriage as their heterosexual counterparts.  By preventing the LGBT community from enjoying the same financial benefits, having their marriage formally legalized, and ensuring their right to adopt, our society is causing a great deal of harm to a population that is already oppressed.  

Likewise, kids born to or adopted by LGBT couples will also appreciate having happier parents and getting to be adopted by other females and males who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered.  Children need stable families, and same sex couples are just as capable of providing these high quality homes as their heterosexual counterparts.  It is cruel and unusual punishment to condemn any Oklahoma process server, private investigator, bail bonds agent, notary public, or other individual who is LGBT, including their kids, for mere trifles. 

If the states will not act to ensure the rights they should already have under the Section One of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads as follows, as noted here http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

            By failing to actively require our government to enforce this basic civil right for those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgendered, each private investigator, process server, notary public, deception expert, and other human being in Oklahoma and elsewhere has failed in his or her duty to really love others.  There is simply no loving, conscionable reason to discriminate against them.  Almost 200 other species are gay, and yet only humans have turned to hatred.  Perhaps we are not the most “advanced” species of all after all? 

            Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers recognizes that hatred and bigotry based upon such things as race, religion (or the lack thereof), age, gender, sexual orientation, transgendered status, height, weight, marital status, nationality, veteran status, political affiliation, ethnicity, etc., can prove to be very harmful both in the workplace and to society as a whole.  Our company strives to promote a work environment and world in which tolerance, peace, love, acceptance, and adaptation are valued.  We at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers urge all other private investigators, process servers, mobile notaries, deception experts, bodyguards, and society as a whole to follow suit and do the same thing.             

Why Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Keep a Low Profile on the Internet

Why Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Keep a Low Profile on the Internet

            Oklahoma private investigators and process servers should often intentionally try to keep a low personal/individual profile on the Internet.  Indeed, many private investigators and process servers do indeed own their own private detective agencies and process server companies.  However, revealing the owner’s identity and those of the private investigators that work there can sometimes prove hazardous to private investigators, process servers, and the clients they serve.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com elucidates . . .

`           Oklahoma City private investigators and process servers, by their very definition, may want to keep their identities as secretive as possible.  While these professionals do have to identify themselves when asked by law enforcement officials, etc., it is usually best if their identity is not out there all over the Internet.  If it is, then it is quite a bit easier for those seeking to discover their identity. 

            Let us assume that a process server has gone to make a serve.  His or her name will be there on the affidavit of service (AoS).  When someone eventually files this document, it becomes a matter of public record.  Given how many people have taken to insulting, attacking, and even killing Oklahoma process servers, who wants to make their personal information easily accessible on the Internet?  Why give someone who might be very mentally or emotionally unstable the extra opportunity to track down and potentially harm a licensed process server who was merely doing his or her job?  It is bad enough that many people already try to do so while process server is trying to serve the papers.

            This same concept holds true for private investigators.  Private investigators are supposed to try to keep their identities more secretive, hence the word “private” investigator.  Someone who has his or her name out there all over the place is sometimes doing a disservice to both himself or herself and his or her clients.  This is especially true for private detectives who may get called in as expert witnesses during court cases. 

Anyone who has ever served as a private investigator in Oklahoma for any length of time has undoubtedly had to take the stand at least once.  Why make it easy for the opposing side to find out things about an Oklahoma private investigator that could discredit him or her on the stand?  Privacy is already a thing of the past, and there is no need to make the other side’s job easier.

Of course, keeping one’s identity a secret is not always an easy task, and sometimes doing so comes with its downsides.  Many professionals use their identity to market their business.  A great number of private detectives and process servers work alone or perhaps with a partner, and they need to market themselves.  Otherwise, they will not have any clients and will soon go out of business.  Besides, by having a great deal of positive information out there about one’s company, it can help preempt the negative kinds of feedback that can hurt business.

Others in the field might contend that there are many ways in which one can market his or her company on the Internet without using personally identifiable information.  For a little extra money, one can conceal the owner’s name of a website domain name.  Likewise, instead of the process server or private investigator choosing to use his name to market the detective agency or process serving company, he or she can use actors or can use other marketing methods that focus more on the company and less on any one individual.

If someone wants to find out the “goods” on an Oklahoma private investigator or Edmond process server, then a simple report that a private investigator can run on TLO www.tlo.com can often do the job.  While TLO will not always pull up much “dirt” or “goods” on an individual, it sometimes does.  In addition, TLO can also provide the “beginning pathway” to help make it easier to find additional information about a process server or private investigator. 

Facebook www.Facebook.com is one of these beginning pathways that can also add more information, which is why it is inadvisable to keep much identifiable information easily accessible the public on social media networks.  Facebook and other social media sites have proven to help lead to the ultimate downfall of politicians, teachers, and a wide variety of other professionals.

While having a personal life on the Internet might be fun and is sometimes helpful when promoting a business, those conducting private investigations and who serve process must first give it serious thought.  There are pros and cons to putting one’s personal information out there, and either way it is a double-edged sword.  Private investigators and Oklahoma City process servers should weigh the costs against the benefits to decide what works best for them.

Oklahoma City Private Investigators Need to Wear Proper Attire When On Duty

            Oklahoma City private investigators should be mindful about what they wear while on duty.  This is particularly true for armed private investigators in Oklahoma, who may carry weapons which they must conceal.  There are many factors when it comes to proper clothing attire which can affect an Oklahoma private investigator’s performance.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com examines some of the circumstances in which certain clothing could prove to be more desirable for private investigators.

             It goes without saying that private investigators should dress professionally.  That being said, an adept private investigator also has to blend in with his or her environment.  Thus, whereas a coat and tie might work in one situation, a T-shirt and a ball cap might be most appropriate in another.  While dressing professionally for any profession is indeed vital, wearing the right attire for the occasion is equally essential, if not more so, for Oklahoma private investigators.

            Private investigators should also be mindful about the various weather conditions they will be working in.  If it is going to rain, then the need for rain jackets, umbrellas, and other such gear could come in quite handy.  If, on the other hand, it is going to be extremely hot, then sunglasses, a light T-shirt and shorts will probably prove to be much more desirable.  Given Oklahoma’s sometimes bizarre and volatile weather conditions, the weather can change at any moment.  A skilled Oklahoma private investigator will often keep a set of backup clothes into which he or she can change as the need arises.

                Oklahoma City private investigators who carry firearms also need to wear clothing that will help them easily conceal protective guns, tasers, etc., that they carry.  Most private investigators do not want those they are investigating to know what they are carrying, if anything, or where it is located.  By wearing jackets with special pockets and other loose clothing, a licensed private investigator can help conceal what he or she is carrying.  This helps put the private investigator at a tactical advantage and aids in decreasing his or her risk level.

            Private investigators working for private detective agencies might have other corporate attire that they must wear.  While most private investigation firms do not require their Oklahoma private investigators to wear clothing which will distinguish them as working for a private investigation agency or as a private investigator, some do.  However, anyone working as a professional private investigator who is sporting easily recognizable clothing which associates him or her with a private detective agency or as a private investigator, is going to find himself or herself at a significant strategic disadvantage.

            There are a plethora of reasons as to why Oklahoma private investigators should dress professionally and appropriately.  What private investigators wear and when they wear it can have a significant impact on their overall success or failure.  The overall goal of private investigators is to follow the laws, try to bring his or her clients the greatest amount of success, and to stay safe in the process.  Clothing can indeed play a significant part in this process.

Oklahoma Armed Private Investigators Face Critical Ammunition Shortage

Oklahoma Armed Private Investigators Face Critical Ammunition Shortage

            As hunters, sportsmen, law enforcement officers, security guards, and others throughout Oklahoma rush to buy all of the ammunition they can, some Oklahoma City private investigators have found themselves without.  Of course, there are many causes for this shortage, and it poses a direct security risk for those who really do engage in dangerous professions.  Without adequate ammunition for firearms, Oklahoma bodyguards, police officers, private detectives, process servers, and others may lack what the need to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.  It is important that those at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com examine the causes of the ammunition shortage, how professionals can cope with it, as well as what society as a whole can do to prevent more shortages in the future. 

In the wake of multiple mass school and theater shootings, many people have turned to carrying firearms and buying up all of the ammunition they can.  The media’s coverage of these killings has played a tremendous part in hyping up the shootings, inadvertently encouraging subsequent killings by other would-be copycat killers who want their fifteen minutes of infamy.  Thus, the public finds itself scared, and many people in American society rush out to buy weapons and ammunition to protect themselves.   This jeopardizes the well-being of armed Oklahoma private investigators, who serve in more dangerous capacities on a regular basis and often need these bullets to protect themselves from harm.  Of course, other reasons for the ammunition shortage also exist.

            Many people fear that President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party will take away all of their firearms and ammunition.  Once again, the media, often backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), gun dealers, ammunition manufacturers, lobbyists, politicians, corporate stock holders, and other private individuals, both directly and indirectly strike fear into the hearts of those in America.  Fearing some new drastic change in the law, people have once again significantly increased the rate at which they have stockpiled weapons and ammunition.

            These shootings and everyone who has been involved in them have proven to be very “good” business for many interest groups.  While private investigators have suffered, all of the aforementioned have profited greatly from the mass killings and evasive anti-weapon laws.  Since the demand for firearms and ammunition has greatly outpaced capacity, something that gun and ammunition manufacturers, among others, surely “could not have seen coming”, they and their supporters have reaped in enormous financial profits.  Thus, while special interest groups have once again scammed Americans through fear, private detectives in Oklahoma have found themselves in greater peril.

            Oklahoma City private investigators need to help take the lead in trying to calm the fears of those around them, through meaningful education about what is really taking place.  While the United States Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms, the panic special interest groups have intentionally caused is only causing a gun and ammunition shortage, and it is also unnecessarily pushing up the prices.  This is exactly what the gun and ammunition manufacturers want and runs contrary to what is most helpful to society.  Quite frankly, it is very un-American.    

If a private investigator cannot conduct an investigation because he or she does have the needed firearms to feel safe on the job, this hurts the profession.  Since armed private detectives often find themselves in greater danger than those working in other fields, they should at least get a higher preference category during these shortages.  Of course, creating this special class might inadvertently cause resentment among non-private investigators.  This could lead to a backlash against Oklahoma private investigators and those who own and run private detective agencies. 

People should remember to keep calm, turn off the mostly negative news media, and should not panic to go buy up all of the guns and ammunition they can find.  Violence prevention and the elimination of fear, panic and price gouging start with each individual person, and together we can keep these special interest groups who wish to make a killing off of the masses from prevailing.  If those in our society fail to do so, they will only cause increased harm to those (i.e., private investigators) who are actually in much more dangerous situations than they. 

Oklahoma Private Investigators: Armed or Unarmed While on Duty?

Oklahoma Private Investigators: Armed or Unarmed While on Duty?

            It goes without saying that those who serve as private detectives in Oklahoma often face significant danger while on and off the job.  As discreet as they often are, private detectives remain vulnerable to both physical and psychological attacks.  This is especially true for private investigators who serve as bodyguards, private security, and those who investigate criminal matters.  Whether the private investigation entails a minor civil matter or a dangerous criminal one, the question remains: should private investigators arm themselves while on and off duty?  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com examines this issue . . .

            In order to become licensed to carry firearms, private investigators in Oklahoma must first go through a psychological examination, training in firearm accuracy and safety, and other Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certification tests.  Only once an Oklahoma private investigator has adequately met all of these requirements can he or she carry a gun.  Is a gun really necessary though?  All of the experts in the field are unable to unanimously agree.

            For some Oklahoma private investigators who perform investigations into dangerous matters and protect high profile individuals, they obviously need to carry some sort of weapon.  In many situations, not carrying some kind of weapon could prove especially detrimental to a private investigator’s health.  This is especially true when facing armed and especially crazy or angry individuals, as law enforcement officials could take a long time to arrive on the scene to provide assistance in emergency situations. 

            Other private investigators in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Yukon, Mustang, Stillwater, and elsewhere in Oklahoma simply do not feel comfortable with the idea of carrying a firearm.  They may have an aversion to guns, which are sometimes necessary in the private investigation profession.  Of course, they may prefer other items such as pepper spray, shock knuckles, tasers, etc., instead of a gun.  Others may not want the liability, costs, maintenance, or increased insurance rates that often accompany firearms. 

            Whether using a firearm or nothing at all, the decision about whether to use them or not essentially comes down to two main factors: the private investigator’s comfort level with guns and the overall danger levels he or she faces.  Each private detective agency must ultimately decide whether or not to allow its private investigation staff to carry firearms while on duty.  However, each Oklahoma City private investigator must determine for himself or herself whether to carry a firearm while off duty.  After carefully weighing their options, is it better for private investigators to be safe than sorry?  Do the risks the profession carries with it merit the use of firearms?  At the end of the day, each private investigator must ultimately decide this for himself of herself.  

Oklahoma City Private Investigators Who Provide Expert Witness Testimony in Courts Should Come Prepared

Oklahoma City Private Investigators Who Provide Expert Witness Testimony in Courts Should Come Prepared

            Oklahoma City private investigators will sometimes find that they must provide expert witness testimony in Oklahoma’s various courts.  Whether they are needed to attest to incidents they saw or to counter another private detective’s testimony on procedural grounds, Oklahoma private investigators always need to come prepared.  Private detectives have a duty bound obligation to do so in a professional manner that will best benefit everyone involved in the case.  By following a few best practices for the profession that Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com suggests, those conducting private investigations can accomplish this with much greater ease.

            First and foremost, it is important for all private investigators to practice answering questions in their head that attorneys and judges might ask them.  Sometimes it can help if the attorney that has hired the private investigator reviews those possible questions with him or her in advance.  While it is vital that attorneys do not coach private investigators, it sometimes helps to practice what one might say and the manner in which he or she says it before taking the stand. 

Of course, it is important to remember that lawyers and judge may ask questions that the private investigator has not yet considered.  Trying to memorize answers is seldom a good idea; rather, it is more desirable to have a general idea of what one might say.  Initial questions may include, but are not limited to, “What are your educational and field-related training areas?” and, “How long have you worked as a private investigator?”  Then again, some Oklahoma City private investigators do better flying by the seat of their pants.  Whatever the case, the expert witness testimony should come out freely and should not look rehearsed.

Another important aspect of expert witness testimony is to always tell the truth.  While individuals and attorneys hire private investigators and pay them for their services, this does not mean they have to lie or otherwise embellish the truth.  In fact, ethical standards of the profession strictly prohibit it.  Besides, what court case is worth getting caught lying on the stand and subsequently charged with perjury?

Sometimes it is easy for those on the stand to want to add a commentary or even become emotional.  However, the facts are what count the most.  Many legal professionals and juries alike often do not view Oklahoma private investigators who add unnecessary opinions, unless specifically asked for them, or who become emotional as very professional.  Doing so is likely to make the expert witness testimony less credible and is something all private investigators should strive to avoid.

Private investigators who are providing expert witness testimony should never argue while on the stand.  Astute attorneys may try to goad a licensed private investigator into a debate or argument, but this will only work against the person testifying.  Someone who is telling the truth in a professional manner does not need to raise his or her voice, argue, debate, etc.

An Oklahoma private investigator should also come to court on time and dressed professionally.  If a private investigator wants the judge, jury, the attorneys, and the client(s) to take the testimony he or she provides seriously, then proper attire and mannerisms are imperative.  Who would take a judge seriously if he or she came to the bench in a nightgown and cap?  How a private investigator in Oklahoma looks and acts is almost as important as what he or she says.

These are just a few of the best practices that all of those serving in the private investigation field should follow.  Indeed, private investigations and the testimony that those running effective private detective agencies can provide sometimes helps make or break a case.  Expert witness testimony in courts throughout Oklahoma is a very serious matter, and everyone involved should take it very seriously.

Oklahoma Private Investigators Who Spy on Each Other: Effective Tips and Techniques

Oklahoma Private Investigators Who Spy on Each Other: Effective Tips and Techniques

            Sometimes Oklahoma private investigators find themselves the target of counterintelligence and surveillance.  People hire other private investigators to follow and track other Oklahoma private investigators for a variety of reasons.  The Oklahoma Private Investigator Association (OPIA) might be conducting a background check on a new applicant.  Perhaps the subject of investigation wants to get the “goods” on an Oklahoma private investigator who is set to testify in a court proceeding.  Whatever the case, the staff at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com knows that there are definitely ways in which private investigators can counter various forms of counterintelligence and surveillance.

            The first and most important thing to do is to recognize that someone is trying to conduct surveillance.  The person could be videotaping the private investigator, taking photos or voice recordings of him or her, etc.  Whatever the case, it is imperative to find the source of the recording device.  The Oklahoma private investigator needs to thwart whatever is recording or otherwise collecting the information about him or her, as well as the person doing it. 

If the device is a planted bug, tracking device, or other stationary equipment, then those can be deactivated and saved in a secure location for future evidence.  If an individual is the one actually holding and performing the recording/surveillance via a video camera or other device, then taking the equipment away is not possible.  Under the latter circumstance, there are several precautions to take.

Firstly, it is important not to confront the other private investigator or otherwise let him or her know that his or her surveillance campaign is known.  Doing this makes it easier to give Oklahoma private investigators conducting counterintelligence on other private investigators a false sense of security.  Besides, private investigators are expensive, so it does not benefit the other party to waste money when their private investigator’s results will now definitely not amount to anything.  Thus, it is imperative to continue going about the daily routine, making very sure not to do anything bad that they might be looking for or that could otherwise discredit an upstanding private investigator in a courtroom.

            After this task is done, it is then important to find out the identity of the private investigator that is doing the spying.  Armed with this knowledge, there may be a plethora of information on the Internet, from neighbours, or other sources.  Having knowledge and insights into the life of the private investigator who is following you can help one determine possible educational and training backgrounds, work habits, tactics, etc.  Fortunately, there are often a wide variety of ways to ascertain information about private investigators!

            One way to get information about the person spying on another private investigator is to simply hire yet another private investigator to spy on him or her.  This route can prove costly, however, and that private investigator’s actions might not even be very important to the situation at hand.  Of course, by hiring someone else, it frees the private investigator who is currently getting spied on to move about more freely as if nothing else is going on.  He or she can then track the Oklahoma private investigator who is now conducting the surveillance, etc.

            Another method is to try to very casually collect the private investigator’s information (i.e., license plate number, name, etc.) while being spied upon.  This requires more maneuvering, stealth, and skill, as it has to be done without tipping the other private investigator off to the fact that his or her presence is well known.  In these situations, the use of hidden cameras, etc., can come in very handy indeed!  If done right, finding ways to counter counterintelligence and surveillance on one’s own can save money and might yield desirable results.

            Once a person has the Oklahoma private investigator’s information (i.e., license plate number, address, photos, etc.), then sites like www.tlo.com, Facebook, Google, the Oklahoma private investigator’s neighbours, and other sources become invaluable.  These sources can provide insights into who the person is and possible motives for the surveillance.

            While private investigators are not spied upon very often, it can and sometimes does happen.  Oklahoma private investigators who know how to effectively counter surveillance and get to the truth can often do both themselves and their clients a big favour.  It is vital that private investigators remember the importance of never making the situation worse in the process.  Otherwise, attempting to thwart surveillance and counterintelligence can backfire.      

             

New Oklahoma Private Investigators Need Mentors and Internships

New Oklahoma Private Investigators Need Mentors and Internships

Many professionals enter their fields for the first time without much real practical experience.  Whether these individuals have attended a university and are becoming medical doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc., everyone usually starts with only a minimum amount of work experience.  The same thing also holds true for private investigators, process servers, notary public officials, and others in the legal field.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com knows all too well how this fact underscores the importance for new private investigators to have internships and mentors who will help them along in the field.

Unless a private investigator has previously served in a special investigative law enforcement capacity within the military and/or civilian world, he or she is likely ill prepared for the rigors that come with serving as an Oklahoma private investigator.  Indeed, Oklahoma City private investigators who go to a vocational school to train often find that they are prepared for the rather easy test the basic Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) requires.  Unfortunately, these vocational schools seldom offer hands-on training that is beneficial for when Oklahoma private investigators actually go out into the field in Edmond, Moore, Oklahoma City, Yukon, Norman, Midwest City, Tulsa, Lawton, Piedmont, Guthrie, Del City, Bethany, and elsewhere.

Oklahoma’s career technology-oriented schools need to offer real life experiences for students enrolled in private investigators training programs.  Instructors need to show new Oklahoma private investigators how to actually conduct surveillance, set up and use the private security cameras, how to properly testify in a courtroom as a witness, and how to start and run a private investigator business.  While the list of training necessities could indeed prove to be quite extensive, the instructional programs these schools provide often prove to be grossly inadequate for those trying to enter the field and start a new career.

Much like with newly certified teachers, private investigators could also benefit from having some sort of mentor.  Vocational or career-oriented schools that offer private investigator training programs could take the lead in connecting new private investigators with more experienced professionals in the field.  Having someone to whom the new private investigator can ask for advice and help from could prove to be very beneficial.  The field of private investigation is a very serious one.  The consequences of a private investigator who does not conduct surveillance or perform other related services properly can be very detrimental to clients and society as a whole.

Oklahoma needs to develop new programs which will adequately train and provide continuing support to new private investigators.  Society would not generally tolerate poorly trained teachers in its classrooms any more than it would allow a beginning brain surgeon to operate without assistance.  The same holds true for licensed private investigators.  By requiring advanced training and ongoing support for new Oklahoma private investigators, Oklahoma will see increased professionalism, better Oklahoma City private investigators, fewer mistakes, and a more satisfied clientele.    

Oklahoma Private Investigator Essentials for Conducting Surveillance

Oklahoma Private Investigator Essentials for Conducting Surveillance

Whenever an Oklahoma private investigator is going to conduct surveillance for a client, there are several things he or she should do to maximize success.  The professionals at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com suggest that these include items that private investigators should  do before, during, and after conducting surveillance.  By following these best practices, private investigators will help their clients get the biggest bang for their buck and the most success with their cases.  Meanwhile, Oklahoma City private investigators will also profit through customer referrals and continued business with the clients they already have.  The following is a short, non-exhaustive list of things every Oklahoma private investigator should follow:

Properly Assessing Clients’ Needs:

Private investigators need to begin by properly assessing what the real needs of their clients are.  By having a checklist and/or via a thorough conversation, the private investigator and the client can work together to determine the best course of action, can troubleshoot, select the best methods, analyze budgets, etc. 

This assessment also includes the responsibility that private investigators have to not unnecessarily spend clients’ money, if they are visibly suffering from a mental illness.  While most private investigators are not dually licensed as therapists, sometimes such indicators of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, etc., can sometimes become blatantly apparent.  Good judgment and common sense are key elements.  

Determining the Appropriate Number of Private Investigators for the Job:

It is also necessary to determine the right number of private investigators for the job.  How many Oklahoma private detectives are really needed to complete the surveillance successfully?  What will best work within the client’s budget?  These are all questions that an Oklahoma private investigator and his or her client should discuss together in advance.

Signing a Contract That Clearly Outlines Everything:

Signing written contracts can often help eliminate confusion, can limit liability for the private investigator, and can generally assist everyone in staying on the same page from the beginning.  Verbal agreements/contracts are often very difficult to prove, and they can lead to unnecessary conflicts, unrealistic expectations, and confusion.

Obtaining a Retainer in Advance: 

In most circumstances, clients should pay their private investigator in advance.  This helps keep clients from trying to cheat a private investigator.  If, for example, an Oklahoma private investigator spends fifteen hours conducting surveillance on a house where a person lives and no one ever comes back home, the client may not want to pay.  This can potentially lead to a rather large and unnecessary legal conflict.  Private investigators will want to make sure that all personal or business checks clear prior to starting services.  

Preparing, Bringing and Maintaining the Proper Equipment:

Oklahoma City private investigators should always bring what they are going to need for the case.  The following constitute a few of the many important items that private investigators generally need:

ü  An abundance of surveillance tapes

ü  Various recording devices

ü  Charged batteries for the recording devices

ü  At least one cell phone

ü  Cell phone charger

ü  Flashlight with strong batteries

ü  Notepad and Pencil/Pen

ü  Food, drinks, and something to urinate/defecate in

ü  Tinted car windows

ü  Pillow, warm/cool clothing, blankets, etc.

ü  Phone numbers for local law enforcement agencies

ü  Address, identifying information, photos, etc., of the area and people being watched

ü  Car that does not readily stand out from the surrounding vehicles

ü  Gun or other protective equipment for which the private investigator is licensed

This is not an all-inclusive list.  The needs for each surveillance case may vary greatly, and they should be brought on a case-by-case basis.  It always helps to have something on hand and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Alerting the Police and Other Oklahoma Staff About Your Presence:

Private investigators who call the police in advance to let them know about their presence can benefit in many ways.  Once the police already know the general location of the private investigators, their physical description, a description of their car, how they can be reached by phone, etc., they often feel better about the situation.  This can potentially benefit both the Norman, Oklahoma private investigator and the police. 

If someone calls about a “suspicious car” or an “unusual person” outside of a home or business, then the police may or may not come out to investigate the matter.  However, sometimes the police, if they know about the private investigator in advance, may simply drive by the car without stopping, getting out of their car with the lights flashing, etc.  This can really help to save a private detective’s cover!  However, it is important to remember that privacy laws which protect the client still apply when interacting with the law enforcement personnel.

Also, it is always important for those conducting private investigations to let at least one other staff member know where they are at any given time.  This way if something bad happens and things go south, someone else can at least know the private investigator’s general whereabouts.  Private investigators should also check in with someone else from time to time.

Selecting a Decent Observation Point:

Private investigators should always try to choose an observation point whereby they will attract the least attention to themselves.  Of course, they can only assume a position/location they have the right to be on (i.e., a public street), and they may have to move or change places from time to time.

Keeping Free of Distractions:

While conducting surveillance, it is imperative that private detectives keep themselves free from distractions.  Playing with cell phones, sleeping, or other unnecessary items are disruptive to the process.  It can take mere seconds for something to happen, and it is vital that these precious moments are not lost to an “LOL”.

Taking Integrity Shots/Footage or Collecting Continuous Video Footage:

Often surveillance can take many hours to complete.  Clients and judges often want to know that their Oklahoma City private detectives were there the entire time.  If clients do not want and/or need their private detective to run continuous video footage the entire time, then integrity shots become important.  One can obtain these by simply turning on the video camera, stating the date, time, location, what is happening, etc.  The private investigator should also have the camera’s setting to where it should automatically note the date and time on the video, too.  Integrity shots are quite helpful for a variety of reasons.

Many clients who do not want continuous footage run on a place want to know that their private investigators did not go home.  By taking integrity shots, a private investigator can show that he or she was indeed there at the location at the intervals noted on the camera.  This way the client cannot come back and demand money for surveillance the private investigator supposedly did not conduct.

Judges also like to see integrity shots for similar reasons.  They, too, want to know that the private investigator did not just pack up and go home.  That way someone under surveillance who arrives home at 10:00 p.m. and stayed there all night, would have greater difficulty in court claiming she had left at midnight.  This would be particularly true if the woman had parked her car or truck outside in the driveway the entire time.  The judge could easily ask, “Why then, do we have video footage of your car being parked there all night?”  Once again, integrity shots can help for many reasons!

Use Night Vision Camera When Appropriate:

If it is even remotely possible that surveillance could occur when it is dark, then special video cameras can certainly help!  Cameras with infrared detectors can help determine if people arrive home at night.  While they cannot provide clear visual images of the faces of those entering and exiting an area, they can at least help show that people arrived, left, etc.  Once again, these can become helpful to clients who are seeking to know the truth.  

Effectively and Timely Communicating Information With Clients:

Private detectives should take the time to communicate with their clients on a regular basis.  The amount of communication may vary from client to client.  Some people may want continual updates whenever possible, while others just want to know the final result.  Oklahoma private detectives who communicate information and evidence discovered during their surveillance with their clients, can also help collaboratively determine the best course of action for the rest of the assignment.  Oklahoma private investigators should always discuss the amount and type of information disseminated and to whom, before beginning surveillance.

Writing Effective Reports & Delivering Evidence:

Oklahoma City private investigators should take care to ensure that the reports they write for their clients are clear, concise, truthful, and to the point.  Those working for private detective agencies should take great care to only state the facts and to eliminate opinions and commentaries from their reports.  These are legal documents that could very well end up in a courtroom as evidence, so they need to be as accurate and professional as possible.  Also, private investigators should take care to turn over any other evidence that belongs to the client (i.e., video footage), too.

Testifying in Court, if Asked:

Oklahoma private detectives who have served in the field long enough will likely attest to the fact that courtroom testimony sometimes becomes very necessary.  Sometimes an attorney will need more than a written report, and testifying is often considered a billable part of the written contractual agreement.  This is sometimes just a routine part of surveillance and is something a private investigator needs to prepare for.

These are just a few of the many things that those operating an Oklahoma private detective agency should consider.  Sometimes items on the aforementioned list may not apply.  In other circumstances, one might need to add extra items not mentioned above.  However, by following this general list of necessities, Oklahoma private investigators and their clients will generally enjoy much more success!   

Oklahoma Private Investigators Need to Know Their Clients’ True Intentions Before Investigating

Oklahoma Private Investigators Need to Know Their Clients’ True Intentions Before Investigating

            Many times private investigators in Oklahoma and elsewhere have clients approach them asking for help with one matter or another.  Whether they need a private detective’s assistance with a criminal case, determining whether or not a spouse is cheating, help with locating a missing child, or any number of other matters, clients often tell the truth and are willing to pay for some answers.  Sometimes, however, clients conceal the truth and have ulterior motives that they take great care to conceal from an Oklahoma private investigation firm.  It is important that Oklahoma private investigators take careful steps to help ensure that they perform due diligence in establishing a client’s true intentions, prior to agreeing to accept a case.

            If a client comes in and claims that he has a court order that prohibits his wife from having men over there after certain hours at night (i.e., 10:00 pm), this could very well be true.  Obviously, if the client suspects that men are coming over and are staying the night, then he might indeed have reasonable suspicion to take action to have something to show to the judge.  In this case, an Oklahoma private investigator could certainly conduct surveillance and try to get video footage, photographs, etc.  Of course, how can private investigators know if this is the real reason for the surveillance?

            It is also totally possible that the client is an ex-boyfriend or ex-husband who is jealous and just wants to keep tabs on the people his ex-spouse is dating.  Indeed, the client could have any number of motives.  This is why private detectives in Oklahoma and elsewhere, even if they are deception experts, should ask questions and try to gather as much information as possible before accepting cases.

            One such way to find out if the client is telling the truth or not in this matter, is for private investigators to simply ask to see the court order.  If the client is telling the truth and has access to the court order, then there should be no reason he or she would not willingly provide it.  If the person refuses to show it or otherwise cannot, this should raise a red flag.  At the very least, the case number and the accompanying documents should be on file with the appropriate court clerk and should generally be available for the private investigator to view.

            By gaining access to the court order, this can help provide the Oklahoma private detective with invaluable information.  Armed with this, a private investigation agency like Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com  can determine what all is prohibited and allowed.  The information contained in that document should make it easier for private investigators to see with their own eyes what all they specifically should and should not try to do.  But private investigators are not the only ones who have ways of at getting at the truth.

Deception experts have their own methods and techniques for finding out who is lying and when.  While most private investigators are not deception experts, those who are have an extra advantage.  By gauging emotions, asking certain questions, and so much more, a dual deception expert/private investigator in Oklahoma can often get to the truth with a fair amount of ease.  Indeed, there are many ways that private investigators in general can get to the truth of various matters. 

It is important that Oklahoma private investigators do not unnecessarily or unfairly badger their clients or otherwise run them off.  The majority of clients usually tell the truth to those working at Oklahoma private investigation firms.  By adequately performing due diligence, an exceptional Oklahoma private investigator can help the client spend only the money he or she needs to, while simultaneously fulfilling his or her duty to protect the public from unnecessary harm.   

Why Oklahoma Private Investigators, Mobile Notaries and Process Servers Should Join the Better Business Bureau

Why Oklahoma Private Investigators, Mobile Notaries and Process Servers Should Join the Better Business Bureau

            The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can provide numerous benefits to Oklahoma private investigators and process servers.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com, which has Oklahoma process servers, private investigators, deception experts, notary public officials, private security, document retrieval specialists, bail bonds, expert witnesses, bodyguards, and mobile notaries, is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau of Oklahoma City for many reasons.  Indeed, the Better Business Bureau is helpful not only to professionals in fields such as these, but also to others in a wide variety of areas that provide goods and/or services.   

            One of the biggest benefit that an Oklahoma private investigator can gain from joining the BBB, is knowing that potential customers are more likely to view his or her company as trustworthy and honest.  A process serving company in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, or elsewhere in Oklahoma is really only as good as the service it provides.  High quality service helps process servers garner a praiseworthy reputation in the industry. 

In addition, potential customers who see the Better Business Bureau’s logo on the door of an Oklahoma private investigation company, are more likely to believe in its commitment to quality and ethical standards.  Firms can proudly display this logo on their websites, on store windows and doors, etc.  The commitment to excellence that process servers and private investigators must make to obtain it gives Oklahoma private investigators the extra reputation boost they need to succeed.  Clients often trust members of the Better Business Bureau more than other process serving and private detective agencies, too.  But the benefits for Oklahoma polygraph examiners, mobile notaries and others do not stop there!

As everyone knows quite well, America loves its court system.  The population as a whole loves to sue doctors, our spouses, other businesses, and sometimes even our own kids.  Even the most reputable Oklahoma private detective agency or process serving company is not immune from getting dragged into court.  However, Oklahoma notary public companies, expert witnesses, etc., who are members of the BBB have an extra chance to resolve matters outside of the courtroom.  Customers who are familiar with the BBB’s complaint system can file a complaint instead of going right to court.  This can often help to effectively reduce the number of expensive lawsuits, lawyers, court costs, service fees, and more for everyone involved.

These are just a few of the numerous benefits of the Better Business Bureau.  Oklahoma process servers, private investigators, notary public officials, polygraph examiners, bail bond companies, private security companies, and others can surely benefit from becoming a part of the BBB.  In fact, one can easily find Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers’ Better Business Website location at http://www.bbb.org/oklahoma-city/business-reviews/process-serviceers/oklahoma-judicial-process-servers-in-oklahoma-city-ok-90029867.  All reputable Oklahoma private investigation and process server companies should give serious consideration to joining the BBB as well.

Why Oklahoma Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Form Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Instead of Traditional Corporations

Why Oklahoma Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Form Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Instead of Traditional Corporations

            One thing that America is known for is its love of the courts.  For hundreds of years, the judicial system in the United States has played an extremely integral role in helping to settle divorces, small disputes, malpractice claims, business disagreements, immigration matters, and even criminal charges.  Needless to say, many business owners usually find out that they are not immune to lawsuits from unhappy customers.  Oklahoma private investigators and process servers can also find themselves sued, and thus they should equip themselves with the legal protections that forming a limited liability company (LLC) can provide.

            Limited liability companies can help give any process server or private investigator the chance to cover himself or herself with a “corporate shield” of sorts.  By forming an LLC, process servers and private investigators alike can make it to where, if ever successfully sued, their business assets are the only thing that a plaintiff can take from them.  This differs greatly from companies that are simply incorporated, and all Oklahoma process servers and private investigators need to know this major difference.

            Say, for example, that Mark, a customer, sues Jack, a diligent private investigator in Oklahoma, in court.  Mark somehow convinces the jury that he is right and that PI Jack is not.  Furthermore, in a miscarriage of justice the jury awards Mark $400,000.  Private Investigator Jack appeals, but he loses a few times.  Now Mark turns to Jack’s business assets to see what all PI Jack is worth.  However, Mark quickly gets disappointed.

            After a  hearing on Jack’s private investigation company’s assets, the courts determine that Jack’s business only has $3,000 worth of business equipment, assets, and property.  Everything else Jack owns is his own personal money and property.  Because Jack’s private investigation firm does not have the other funds, Private Investigator Jack realizes he can never pay off $400,000 and decides to have his company declare bankruptcy.

            After the bankruptcy goes through, Mark, the plaintiff in the case, walks away with his $3,000 and the satisfaction of knowing that the “evil” private investigator’s company is now bankrupt.  Private Investigator Jack, thankful that Mark could not touch his personal assets that amounted to $750,000, puts on his Oklahoma process server hat and forms a new company, which is also a limited liability company. 

As a process server, Jack also expands his business to include other fields, making sure to take out protective professional liability insurance.  Process Server Jack knows he cannot declare bankruptcy for many years to come, so he takes great care to sign special agreements with his clients, which serve to further protect him from lawsuits.  Now Jack brings his previous customers on board to his new business, and he enjoys the fruits of his labour.

            Having said all of this, courts can still pierce the corporate shields that protect business owners from having all of their personal assets take from them.  For example, if Private Investigator Jack had mixed his personal assets with his business assets, then Mark could have asked the courts to pierce this shield.  This is just one of several ways in which this can happen.

            All Oklahoma City process servers and Edmond, Oklahoma private investigators should remember another important thing though.  If their business is especially large, all of those assets are subject to a lawsuit.  Thus, if Private Investigator Jack’s private investigation company had amassed assets of $400,000 or more, then Mark could have successfully taken those away from him.  Mark just could not have touched any of the owner’s personal financial assets. 

            The corporate shield that limited liability companies have was especially meant to protect small businesses like private detective agencies and Oklahoma process server companies like Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com.  Otherwise, many business owners might not want to take the risk of starting a business and possibly losing both their company and personal assets.  All smart private investigation and process server companies in Oklahoma should definitely form limited liability companies, instead of simply becoming incorporated.