California Private Investigator Practice Exam

What should you do if you learn a piece of sensitive information about your client that could impact their case?

1. Share it with the client's family

2. Keep it confidential at all costs

3. Discuss it with a legal advisor first

4. Ignore it as it's not relevant

The correct answer is: Keep it confidential at all costs

Maintaining confidentiality is paramount in the field of private investigation and client relations. The ethical principles and legal standards require that any sensitive information obtained during the course of your work must be safeguarded. By choosing to keep the information confidential, you respect the trust your client has placed in you and uphold your professional integrity. Confidentiality protects the client’s interests and ensures that sensitive details do not become public or fall into the hands of adversarial parties, potentially compromising the case. This protection aligns with established professional codes of conduct and legal obligations that emphasize discretion and the importance of the attorney-client or investigator-client privilege. While discussing sensitive information with a legal advisor might seem like a potential option to navigate complex scenarios, it still hinges on necessity and the nature of the information. Ignoring the information can lead to missed opportunities for defense or mitigation in a case, and sharing it with family members can breach confidentiality, which is fundamentally against the professional standards expected in private investigation. Therefore, the most appropriate and responsible action is to maintain confidentiality.