Bounty hunters, also called bail enforcement officers, trace and arrest individuals who have been released from law enforcement custody on bail, but who’ve failed to attend their court dates. Those who can’t attend their trial dates commit wrong against the law. Fugitives are arrested by bounty hunters and returned to police custody where they will await trial.
Table Of Contents
How Much Money Do Bounty Hunters Earn?
[campusexplorer header_text="START YOUR FIREFIGHTER JOURNEY" intro_text="Fill The Form Below To Get Admissions Info From Local Schools" aos="41826B55" concentration="F3205941" is_lightbox="1" lightbox_btn_text="CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR FIREFIGHTER JOURNEY"]In exchange for their services, bounty hunters will usually obtain ten or twenty percent of the bond or bail sum as payment and they gain an annual salary that is within the range of $50,000 to $80,000. Since there have been numerous people who skip trials, the field is looking for more personnel. Those bounty hunters with formal certification and working experience will have the most job opportunities open to them.
Bail Enforcement Agent Work Description
The police bring an individual who committed a crime in the station and keep them there. The prosecutor will then specify a court date for the individual after he has finished the needed papers and records while in police custody. There is time for the prosecutor to lay charges during the time period in between the booking and the court date. The time it will take in general is 48-72 hours depending on the laws of state. The court date will come and the accused will show up. The accused will be aware of charges filed against him or her from the judge.
The accused will then be asked to make a plea of guilty or not guilty. A process will take place and if the judge sees fit, he or she will let the individual free after bail has been completed. This helps both the judicial system and the defendant since it frees the judicial system from the expense of housing offenders, while simultaneously permitting accused to leave law enforcement custody while they wait for their trial. Bail also works as an incentive for accused to participate in their trial.
The bail could be hundreds of thousands of dollars based on the charges. Bail is not always paid because not everyone could afford it. A bondsman will compensate the bail for the defendant in this instance. Joining the trial means the bail will be refunded. If the person overlooks the schedule and doesn’t show up, the bail will be dropped in exchange for a warrant of arrest.
To prevent losing his money, a bondsman may hire a bounty hunter to find, arrest, and take the defendant back into police custody. The duties of the bounty hunters include interviewing, researching, and more so that they will locate who they are seeking. But while carrying out their duties, bounty hunters should firmly abide by laws and regulations set by the state.
In Washington, there must be grounds for a bounty hunter to get into the building particularly those private properties. They have to confide with the police officials if they need to enter a private property. In Virginia, bounty hunters are required to give authorities notice 24 hrs prior to an arrest and an hour after implementing the arrest.
Preparing To Become A Bounty Hunter
[campusexplorer header_text="START YOUR FIREFIGHTER JOURNEY" intro_text="Fill The Form Below To Get Admissions Info From Local Schools" aos="41826B55" concentration="F3205941" is_lightbox="1" lightbox_btn_text="CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR FIREFIGHTER JOURNEY"]There are states where a license for becoming bounty hunters is needed. While other states are not too demanding, some states are keen on letting bounty hunters do their work as long as they adhere to the rules. Some states prohibit bounty hunting on the whole. If an individual wants to become a bounty hunter, he or she needs to know the policies of the states about the job and the work.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates wishing to become bounty hunters should also fulfill other prerequisites. There will be an examination and a history check for their criminal records. A U.S. citizenship is needed, along with evidence that the person is a resident of the state. They should possess a valid driver’s license. There is a need for the individual to be clean from any criminal offense, be it minor or major. In other states, candidates could be 18 years old, while some states require them to be at least 21 years of age. Training is the most important part of getting the job. Prospective bounty hunters will be granted an opportunity to go to an academy or training center by the state. Apart from the physical training, they will also be guided on the different rules for a bounty hunter in the state. Some states even require applicants to accomplish specific accredited courses.
Education Requirements
Learning the laws of the state concerning the job of bounty hunting is essential because there are many, and each must be followed to the letter if bounty hunters want to operate within that state. The state of Washington doesn’t allow the bounty hunters to get into a private property without providing the most appropriate reason why the fugitive is inside. Before entering, they must let the law enforcement officials of the state know. A 24-hour notice to the officials prior to performing the job in the state is needed; after the arrest is made, the hunter is provided 60-minutes to send information to the same office. Application of the training will be next; this is called the apprenticeship stage.
License And Certification
There are states that will require bounty hunters a license once they complete the training for the field. To receive this license, candidates should take and pass a licensing exam, that will cover the laws of the state. A few states will require an age limit depending on the state, mostly 18 or 21 years old, achieved trainings, and completed internship. Other states will require the applicant experience in the law enforcement to gain a license. When a bounty hunter becomes licensed he’ll be able to work freely within the state that awarded him his license.