Alabama Private Investigator Practice Exam

True or False: A licensee can disclose confidential client information without the client's specific consent.

1. True

2. False

3. Only in emergencies

4. Only if required by law

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because, as a licensed private investigator, maintaining client confidentiality is a fundamental ethical obligation. Confidential client information should not be disclosed without the client's specific consent, ensuring that the client's privacy and trust in the investigator are upheld. The law recognizes certain exceptions to confidentiality, such as emergencies or legal requirements, but these do not grant the licensee unfettered discretion to disclose information. Instead, those exceptions typically involve situations where disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or comply with specific legal mandates. Thus, the requirement for a licensee to obtain consent before disclosing confidential information reinforces the importance of client trust and ethical investigative practices.