Bounty hunters, also called bail enforcement officials, trace and arrest people who have been released from police custody on bail, but who have failed to attend their court dates. When individuals miss their trial while out on bail, they become fugitives of the law. Fugitives are apprehended by bounty hunters and returned to police custody where they will await trial.
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How Much 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 return for their professional services, bounty hunters will typically obtain ten or twenty percent of the bond or bail amount as payment and they generate an annual income that is within the range of $50,000 to $80,000. There is a high recruitment rate in this field because of the expanding number of cases where individuals overlook court dates. Those bounty hunters with formal certification and working experience will get the most job opportunities open to them.
What Kinds Of Work Does A Bail Enforcement Agent Undertake?
The authorities bring an individual who committed a crime in the station and hold them there. Once in police custody, he will be booked and his case will be delivered to a prosecutor who will decide which charges will be placed against the arrested person. Prosecutors have a certain amount of time after booking happens in which they must lay charges. Time may differ in various states but they typically take 48 to 72 hours. After charges have been set, the defendant is introduced before the court. The defendant will know the charges filed against him or her from the prosecutor.
The judge will inquire whether the defendant pleas guilty or not guilty. Once a plea has been reached, the presiding judge, based on the crime the defendant is involved in, may allow the defendant to go out of police custody in return for bail. It is necessary for both parties because it keeps the expenditures of the police from growing and it also gives the accused freedom until their trial. Those who participate in their court dates can even give bail as their incentive.
The amount of bail provided by the judge could be hundreds of thousand dollars. It is therefore not a surprise when clients are unable to pay their bail themselves. When such a scenario arises the accused may resort to a bondsman who’ll pay the bail in his place. There is a reimbursement of the bail when the defendant shows up at the court date. Failure to go to the trial will turn out with a warrant of arrest without bail.
The bondsman will get the services of the Bounty hunter to search the accused and present him or her back to the police so that he could have the bail money back. The duties of the bounty hunters include interviewing, investigating, and more so that they will locate who they are searching for. But while doing their obligations, bounty hunters must firmly comply with laws and guidelines established by the state.
In Washington, there should be a reason for a bounty hunter to get into the building particularly those private properties. They are also expected to inform law enforcement officials that they’re going to enter that property. In Virginia, bounty hunters are needed to give authorities notice 24 hrs before an arrest and an hour after implementing the arrest.
Ways 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"]Other states in the country authorize bounty hunters providing they have the appropriate credentials and license. Other states do not have such a requirement, but in these states, there are demanding laws in place that regulate the practice of bounty hunting. A few states, however, have prohibited the practice of bounty hunting completely. Since the licensure procedure and requirements differ from one state to another, it’s important that anyone wanting to become a bounty hunter first gain knowledge of what his state needs.
Minimum Prerequisites
There are other prerequisites that soon to be bounty hunters should submit. There will be an exam and a background check for their criminal records. They must be a citizen of the U.S. and should be a resident of the state they would like to function in. They should possess a legitimate driver’s license. They should not have committed a felony or misdemeanor. The age requirement for applicants depends on the state’s rules; some require at least 18 years old, while others require at least 21 years old. Training is the most critical part of applying for the job. Those who complete the other requirements will be granted training or brought to an academy for bounty hunters. Besides the physical training, they’ll also be guided on the various rules for a bounty hunter in the state. There are states which demand applicants to accomplish a few courses on the field.
Academic Requirements
Mastering the laws of the state concerning the job of bounty hunting is important because there are many, and each should be put into practice to the letter if bounty hunters wish to operate within that state. There are states such as Washington, which requires bounty hunters “reasonable cause” before they can get into the private property and conduct their job. The police officials need to know this before the hunter could enter the building. A 24-hour notice to the officials prior to doing the job in the state is required; after the arrest is done, the hunter is given 60-minutes to send information to the same office. Application of the training will be next; this is known as the apprenticeship stage.
License And Certification
After training is completed, several states require candidates to first get a license before they can work as bounty hunters. A licensure examination on the laws of the state will happen. A few states will require an age limit depending on the state, mostly 18 or 21 years of age, accomplished trainings, and finished internship. Other states will require the applicant experience in the law enforcement to acquire a license. When a bounty hunter becomes licensed he’ll be able to work freely within the state that awarded him his license.