What is a potential consequence of unlawful surveillance?

Unlawful surveillance can lead to possible legal action against the investigator because it typically violates privacy laws and regulations designed to protect individuals from unwarranted intrusion into their personal lives. Engaging in such surveillance may result in civil lawsuits, criminal charges, or professional disciplinary actions, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the offense. Investigators who conduct surveillance without obtaining the necessary legal permissions or who violate established guidelines could face significant legal repercussions, which could include fines, loss of license, or even imprisonment in serious cases.

The other options do not accurately reflect the implications of unlawful surveillance; for instance, stronger evidence or a more straightforward case can become irrelevant if the evidence obtained is deemed inadmissible in court due to the methods used to gather it. Similarly, there is no guarantee of conviction, as the legal challenges stemming from unlawful surveillance often complicate rather than simplify a case.