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Vehicle tracking devices are frequently utilized in domestic and corporate investigative cases. In Texas, it is unlawful for a person to knowingly install a tracking device on a vehicle owned or leased by another person. However, if the owner of a vehicle provides consent to install a tracking device, an investigator may do so. Examples of this could be a company vehicle where the owner of the company gives consent to track an employee, or a marital investigation where a spouse gives investigators permission to install the tracker. Regarding domestic cases, Texas recognizes community property but there may be more than one owner of a vehicle. The Texas criminal statute regarding vehicle trackers fails to determine whether consent is required from one of the “owners” or all of the “owners”. Most agree that any one owner can provide authorization to track a vehicle. It is this Agency’s opinion that if both spouses are listed on the title, a tracking device can be installed. If our Client is not on the title, but only the |
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Subject of the investigation (spouse) is shown as an owner, we will not install the tracker. Although, it is certainly possible that in a community property state such as Texas, it would be legal to track the vehicle with the spouse’s consent, even if the spouse that is our Client, is not on the vehicle title. One thing is for sure, trackers are used much more often on investigations than many are aware. There are also effective methods to check a vehicle to determine if a tracker has been installed. Newman-Kimmons Investigations L.L.C. has the countermeasures equipment and training to sweep and inspect your Client’s vehicles to determine if there is a covert tracker present. Our Firm also has the ability to install trackers, if it is legal to do so. We have the latest and most effective GPS vehicle tracking devices on the market. A tracking device is not a substitute for investigative surveillance. A tracker cannot document |
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who a Subject is meeting with, whether a Subject is stealing from his employer or cheating on his spouse, etc. However, it can be a very effective aid to surveillance. A vehicle tracker can assist investigators in locating a vehicle, as will as providing a 24/7 report of vehicle locations. A tracker can also save Clients money, if it enables us to watch a Subject with one investigator, rather than two or three. If you have any questions regarding the installation of trackers, or a countermeasures sweep on your Client’s vehicle to determine if a tracker is in place, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to assist with your investigative, security, countermeasures/debugging and research needs. By Rob L. Kimmons |
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5906 Dolores St. Suite 225 Houston, TX 77057 |
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