Surveillance 101: How Private Investigators Watch, Document, and Deliver

When most people imagine a private investigator on surveillance, they picture someone hidden in a car with dark sunglasses and a camera lens sticking out of the window. While the reality isn’t quite as dramatic, surveillance is still one of the most powerful tools investigators use to uncover the truth. In California, however, it’s not just about watching — it’s about doing it within some of the strictest privacy laws in the country.

A recent case highlights how surveillance works in real life. A client came to us during a difficult divorce. She believed her ex-husband, who claimed he was unemployed and unable to pay support, was secretly working. She had no proof, only suspicion, and she knew that without evidence the court would take his word for it. That’s when she hired us.

Before starting surveillance, we carefully planned the operation. We reviewed background information, past addresses, and his known routines. In California, it’s critical to stay on the right side of the law. We couldn’t trespass, wiretap, or record private conversations. What we could do was watch and document his public movements. Over several days of discreet observation, we followed him as he left his residence early in the morning and drove to the same warehouse each day. From a public vantage point, we captured clear video of him entering and leaving the building in work clothes, carrying tools, and working alongside other employees.

When we presented the client with a detailed report, complete with time-stamped video and photos, she finally had the evidence she needed. Her attorney later used that documentation in court, and the judge took notice. What had been a battle of “he said, she said” turned into a matter of verifiable fact.

This case is a good example of how surveillance works. It starts with preparation, it requires patience, and it must always follow California’s privacy laws. Investigators can observe activities that take place in public view, but they cannot use illegal methods like hidden audio recorders or peering into someone’s private home with a zoom lens. That line between legal and illegal is what separates professional investigators from amateurs, and it’s also what makes the evidence usable in court.

Surveillance can uncover the truth in many situations, from suspected infidelity to workers’ compensation fraud to violations of restraining orders. The key is that it provides unbiased, documented facts. Clients don’t just get peace of mind; they get proof that can stand up if challenged.

At GRI Investigative Group, our team of retired law enforcement professionals brings decades of experience to surveillance cases. We understand California’s privacy laws and we know how to gather evidence in a way that is both effective and legally sound. For our clients, that means answers they can trust and in many cases, the difference between doubt and justice.