Posts Tagged ‘bounty hunter’

Common Myths About Bail Bonds

July 30th, 2010

Fortunately most people are never arrested and never have to deal with the bail bonds process. As a result, most Americans don’t have to understand the important role that bail bonds play in the American legal system. Misconceptions consequently abound when it comes to the public’s perception of the bail bonds industry.

The first bail bond myth is that bail and bail bonds are the same thing. Bail is the amount of money a court requires to release a defendant after being arrested. A bail bond is a surety bond provided to a court by a bail bondsman to secure the release of a defendant. If the accused fails to appear, the bail bond is a promise that the bondsman will pay the full bail amount.

The bail bonds industry is a notoriously tough business because of intense competition. Competing messages shower radio, internet, print and television advertisements. Often these advertisements focus on the cost of a bail bondman’s services. This fuels the myth that pricing is different from bail bondsman to bail bondsman. This is inaccurate since each state mandates the fees charged by respective bail bondsmen and the ability to set pricing has been removed from each bail agency.

Many people believe bail bondsmen are the same thing as bounty hunters. This is a very common myth about the industry. These are actually two separate jobs and roles within the bail bonds environment. A bail bondsman is the one who posts a bail bond and secures the releases of a defendant. They are the one that is financially responsible if a defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled. A bounty hunter is the person the bondsman calls to locate and return a defendant who fails to show up.

Once you’ve separated fact from fiction, you will be better able to navigate the court system if need be. Hopefully, you won’t have to know the ins and outs of bail bonds. But if you do, it is better to be armed with the accurate information.

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Bounty Hunting: An Investigative Vocation

July 27th, 2010

In the U. S., when a criminal defendant cannot pay bail, a bail bondsman can offer to loan the money. By doing so, he makes a profit. If the accused tries to flee, however, the bondsman will hire a bail enforcement agent, or bounty hunter, to find and arrest the fugitive. Bounty hunting is only legal in the U. S. And in the Philippines.

Each state has its own laws regarding bail enforcement. A bounty hunter should be aware of the different laws in his or her own state and in nearby states, or any other state he or she may need to enter. Some states require the agent to register, while others require a license. In Oregon, Illinois and Kentucky, bounty hunters cannot make arrests.

An agent cannot make arrests in a foreign country where bounty hunting is illegal. If a fugitive escapes across the border, it’s out of the agent’s jurisdiction. Arresting a fugitive in a foreign country is considered kidnapping.

There are generally less restrictions placed on bounty hunters than on local law enforcement. They do not need warrants, and they can enter a fugitive’s home without warning as long as they have confirmed that their target lives there. The agent needs a bail piece, papers identifying the fugitive, to make the arrest. In some states, a certified copy of the bond is also required. He or she does not need to read Miranda rights. However, the agent also has less protection if they injure the fugitive or any innocent bystanders.

Being a bounty hunter is sometimes like being a private investigator. An enforcement agent must use any means legally available to locate and apprehend their target. Often this requires a thorough investigation of the fugitive’s past, including known associates and activities. It is not uncommon for a bounty hunter to stake out a location for hours or days. He or she will have to interview people who know the fugitive, looking for someone who might turn them in.

Bounty hunting requires a combination of investigative skills and physical training. Most fugitives don’t put up a fight, but when one does, the bounty hunter should be prepared. For this reason, many bounty hunters have a record of military or law enforcement training.

Now you can learn all the details you will need to begin bail enforcement today! As soon as you have bail enforcer training, you will be able to begin your new career!