GPS tracking is one of the most useful tools in a Michigan investigation – and one of the most legally restricted. Under Michigan law (MCL 750.539l), placing a tracking device on someone’s vehicle without their consent is a crime, even for law enforcement without a warrant. Licensed private investigators are specifically exempted to use GPS tracking as part of a lawful investigation. Eye Spy Detective Agency uses this tool the right way – legally, discreetly, and as part of a complete investigation. Call (888) 393-7799 to discuss your situation.
Don’t Try This Yourself
It might seem simple to buy a GPS tracker online and place it on someone’s vehicle yourself. It isn’t legal, and the consequences are real – Michigan law makes it a crime to install or use a tracking device on a vehicle without the owner’s consent, regardless of your reason for doing it. If you’re caught, you could be facing criminal charges instead of getting the answers you were looking for.
If you’re considering GPS tracking as part of a personal or legal matter, talk to an attorney or hire a licensed private investigator instead. The cost of hiring a PI is far less than the cost of defending yourself against a criminal charge.
How GPS Tracking Works in an Investigation
Eye Spy investigators place a GPS locator in a secure location on the vehicle, then monitor its location remotely using a computer or mobile device. This lets us track movement and patterns without maintaining constant visual contact – especially useful in traffic or over long distances.
GPS tracking is a tool, not a complete answer. It can show where a vehicle goes, but it can’t show who’s driving it or what they’re doing once they get there. That’s why GPS tracking is most effective when paired with physical surveillance – particularly in cheating spouse cases, where a subject may switch vehicles mid-route. Without an investigator physically following, a vehicle swap can leave you with a tracker showing one location while the person you’re investigating is somewhere else entirely.
Why Choose Eye Spy for GPS Tracking in Michigan
Eye Spy Detective Agency has used GPS tracking as part of Michigan investigations for decades, always within the legal exemption that applies specifically to licensed investigators. We pair GPS data with physical surveillance and HD video documentation so you get a complete, reliable picture – not just a dot on a map.
Common Questions About GPS Tracking Investigations in Michigan
Can a licensed PI legally use GPS tracking in Michigan without the vehicle owner’s consent?
Yes. Michigan law (MCL 750.539l) prohibits placing a tracking device on a vehicle without the owner’s consent – but it includes a specific legal exemption for licensed private investigators conducting a lawful investigation. Eye Spy operates under that exemption on every GPS tracking case.
What does GPS tracking show – and what are its limits?
GPS tracking shows where a vehicle goes, how long it stays there, and the pattern of its movements over time. What it can’t show is who’s driving or what’s happening once they arrive. That’s why GPS data alone is rarely enough – it’s most useful as a starting point that directs physical surveillance to the right place at the right time.
Why is GPS tracking most effective when paired with physical surveillance?
A subject can switch vehicles mid-route, which leaves a tracker showing one location while the person you’re investigating is somewhere else entirely. Physical surveillance closes that gap. Eye Spy pairs GPS data with on-the-ground surveillance and HD video documentation so you get a complete, reliable picture – not just a dot on a map.
How quickly can Eye Spy begin a GPS tracking investigation?
Once you hire us online, we can begin within one hour – including nights and weekends. Call (888) 393-7799 to discuss whether GPS tracking is the right tool for your case before getting started.
Call (888) 393-7799 to discuss whether GPS tracking is the right tool for your case, or hire us online and we can begin within one hour, including nights and weekends.
