What Is A Bounty Hunter?
Bounty hunters are professionals hired to find and capture fugitives that have skipped bail. Also known as bail enforcement agents, fugitive recover agents and fugitive recovery agent. A bounty hunter’s job is to make sure that someone who was released on bail shows up at their court date. The bail bond will be forfeited if the person fails to appear in court. A bounty hunter must then track down the fugitive, bring them back into custody, and return the bail bond.
Bounty hunter have the right to enter private property of a fugitive without a warrant, and to use reasonable force in order to capture him. Bounty hunters are usually paid a percentage, up to 10% of the bail.
You must be 18 years of age, have a high-school diploma, or the equivalent, and not have any felony convictions to become a bounty hunter. In states like California you may also need to obtain a license or complete a training course. Bounty hunters must also have liability insurance.
What Is A Bail Bond Agent?
Bail bond agents, bail bondsmen, or bail bondspeople, are people or companies that provide bail money to defendants for a fee. A bail bond agent helps defendants who can’t afford to pay for the full amount of bail set by the courts. Bail bond agents charge a fee of 10% or more of the bail amount and then release the defendant from custody.
It is the bail agent’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant shows up at court when scheduled. The bail bond will be forfeited if the defendant fails to appear in court. The bail bond agent must pay the full amount of bail to the court in this case.
To become a bail bonds agent, you need to be licensed in the state where you are operating. State-specific requirements vary but usually include a background investigation and completion of a training course. Bail bond agents must also have liability insurance.
Differences Between A Bounty Hunters And Bail Bond Agents
Their role in the criminal system is what makes them different. Bounty hunters are hired to find and capture fugitives who have skipped bail. Bail bond agents, on the other hand, provide bail money in exchange for fees to defendants.
The amount of force each profession is allowed to use in order to capture a fugitive also differs. Bounty hunters have the right to enter the private property of a fugitive without a warrant and use reasonable force in order to capture them. Bail bond agents do not have the same right, and they must rely either on law enforcement or a bounty hunter, to capture a fugitive.
The requirements for licensing and training also vary. In some states, bounty hunters must obtain a license and complete training programs. Bail bond agents also need to be licensed.
Summary: A bail bond agent posts the bail for a defendant. Bounty hunters apprehend defendants who skip bail and work with bail bond agents in order to make sure defendants show up at court.
License Requirements For Bounty Hunters & Bail Bond Agents In The United States
Bounty hunters: The laws regarding licensing for bounty hunters vary from state to state in the United States. Some states don’t require any license for bounty hunters, whereas others require that prospective bounty hunters take pre-licensing classes and complete security guard training. While there is not a federal license for bounty hunting, each state has specific licensing requirements. Some states also do not permit bounty hunting.
Bail Agents: In America, licensed bail bond agents must pass an exam and meet certain requirements. A bail bondsman may be certified as a bail bond writer after obtaining a license. The defendant pays a percentage to the agent for writing the bail bond. In turn, the agent pays a premium to the insurance company.
Bail Bond Agent Vs. Bail Bond Agent vs. Bail Bondsman
According to an article by the Bail Agent Network, in the eyes of the law, bail bondsman and bail bond agents are two separate jobs. In practice, however, both jobs can be done by the same person or company.
A bail bondsman posts the bail, while a bond agent can write bail bonds in exchange for a fee. While they serve different purposes, bail bondsman and bail bond agent are sometimes used interchangeably.
A bail bond agent, or bail bondsman is one type, but each has different roles in the bail bonding process.
Bounty hunters and bail bond agents play an important role in the criminal justice system. Bounty hunters are hired to find and capture fugitives who have skipped bail. Bail bond agents, on the other hand, provide bail money in exchange for fees. Both professions are regulated and require liability insurance. The requirements differ by state. Their ultimate goal is to make sure defendants show up in court on their scheduled dates.
Alex Adekola is a proven thought leader in the reputation management industry who has targeted mugshot publishers since 2012. He is the longest-serving reputation and crisis management strategist and has written extensively on crisis management. He is the creator and director of strategy at Incept Technologies.