This is the second edition of The Private Investigator’s Legal Manual, first published in 2005. This second edition includes expanded sections from the first edition, numerous new laws and cases reflecting important changes and developments affecting California private investigators. It is written especially for California private investigators and the attorneys who hire and represent them. The Private Investigator’s Legal Manual (California Edition-Second) remains the only complete source for answers to the often tricky and difficult legal issues unique to California investigators.The 300+ page Manual’s ten Chapters cover more than 150 topics! It contains analysis of more than 160 court cases and nearly 130 separate statutes and regulations of importance to California’s private investigators and attorneys. The Manual also includes the full text of the most important California laws. And, it’s fully indexed with nearly 1,000 entries for quick and easy referencing.

5 Responses to “The Private Investigator’s Legal Manual: (California Edition-Second)”

1. K. R. Lodge says:

   February 5, 2010 at 12:00 am

   Credit where credit is due, I believe that Mr Queen has written this extremely well and it is very informative. I have a Detective Agency in UK that has been operating since 1983, so you could say that I have a great deal of experience in the field. As I am also opening an office in LA I wanted to establish what the exam for a Californian license would cover, now having read the book I have a very clear picture of that. The only thing I would like to have seen in it would have been an example of test questions so we would know approximately how the questions are phrased and how many? More importantly I would like to have known if the answers to the questions have to also include the Penal Code Number and/or other legislation that may apply.
2. Boodelbee says:

   October 23, 2009 at 12:00 am

   I recently took the private investigators test and failed by a couple of points. I was shocked by the amount of information that I did not know even thought I have been in law enforcement for over 25 years. The study guides provided by BSIS did not assist me in the questions on the test. This book has addressed many of the areas that I was unclear about and I am confident that when I retake the test I will be able to pass.
3. Jim H. says:

   October 4, 2009 at 12:00 am

   I used this book primarily for prepping for the Calif. P.I. Exam. Since there is little info out there regarding the CA PI exam, I had to find something. This book is half concepts written clearly and easy to read and the other half is Codes from Penal, B&P, Civil, etc. All in all I got a lot of valuable info from this book to help me pass the test on the first time. However, I also have a background in L/E. If you have some experience in L/E or as a PI, this may be your best source. If you do not have that much experience, it still is one of the better sources out there that I could find. It lays out many concepts regarding surveilance and what you can and cannot do. Very valuable. I will be keeping this book around as I start my P.I. business. – Jim H.
4. Craig Olsen says:

   September 2, 2009 at 12:00 am

   If you are preparing to take the California Private Investigators exam, then this book is a must. It breaks down all applicable laws (state and federal) that affect private investigation in California. This is not a dry reprinting of the regulations. David Queen provides examples and intricate details of each section to help clarify what is sometimes very confusing “legal speak”. A prime example is the how California views libel and slander – both of which an investigator must be wary. There are subtle exceptions to libel and slander that Queen outlines and provides examples. There are questions on the state exam that I would not have known the answer to without the assistance of this book. The book does contain about 100 or so pages of the legal text as well (certainly there are those who like the dry “legal speak” – so this book will make everyone happy).
5. Priscilla M. Felton says:

   July 13, 2009 at 12:00 am

   Plain and simple, if your interested in the legal aspects of Private Investigation in California, this is the bookThe Private Investigator’s Legal Manual: (California Edition-Second) for you. This covers just about all of it for the beginner, and a great reference for the advanced. This is a great study guide.