Merritt Island Florida Bounty Hunter Salary And Job Requirements

Bounty hunters, also called bail enforcement officials, track down and arrest people who have been released from police custody on bail, but who have failed to attend their court dates. Individuals who ignore the trial schedule are deemed fugitives. They are to be brought back by bounty hunters into the station so that they can attend another trial.

Table Of Contents

How Much Do Bounty Hunters Make?

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In return for their professional services, bounty hunters will usually obtain ten or twenty percent of the bond or bail sum as payment and they earn a yearly salary that is within the range of $50,000 to $80,000. Employment within the line of work is expected to rise in the coming years due to the fact that bypassing bail is a frequent occurrence. Those bounty hunters with official certification and working experience will get the most job opportunities open to them.

What Kinds Of Work Does A Bail Enforcement Agent Take On?

A criminal will be brought to the police station. Once in police custody, he will be booked and his case will be sent to a prosecutor who will choose which charges will be placed against the arrested individual. There is time for the prosecutor to lay charges during the time in between the booking and the court date. In some states, this period of time is 72 hrs and in others, it’s 48 hrs. After charges have been placed, the accused is introduced before the court. The trial will include the judge’s recitation of the prosecutor’s charges against the accused.

The guilty or not guilty plea will be given by the accused. Once a plea has been made, the presiding judge, based on the crime the defendant is charged with, may enable the defendant to leave police custody in return for bail. This benefits both the legal system and the accused because it liberates the legal system from the expense of housing accused, while concurrently permitting defendants to go out of law enforcement custody while they wait for their trial. Bail also acts as a reason for accused to attend their trial.

Judges may set bail at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Sometimes, one cannot pay the bail on their own. A bondsman will pay the bail for the accused in this case. Going to the trial means the bail will be refunded. If the individual overlooks the schedule and doesn’t show up, the bail will be dropped in return for a warrant of arrest.

To avoid giving up his money, a bondsman may get a bounty hunter to trace, arrest, and bring the accused back into police custody. The duties of the bounty hunters include interviewing, investigating, and more so that they will find who they are looking for. But while doing their obligations, bounty hunters should tightly comply with laws and regulations placed by the state.

Some states like Washington calls for bounty hunters to have proper reason before coming into a private establishment. In instances where they wish to enter, they have to tell the enforcement authorities. In Virginia, bounty hunters are expected to give authorities notice 24 hrs before an arrest and an hour after implementing the arrest.

Ways To Become A Bounty Hunter

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A few states require bounty hunters to have a license to operate within that state. Other states do not have such a requirement, but in these states, there are demanding laws in place that control the practice of bounty hunting. There are states that do not tolerate bounty hunting in all forms. Because the licensure process and prerequisites vary from state to state, it’s essential that anyone planning to become a bounty hunter first acquire idea of what his state needs.

The Prerequisites

Applicants planning to be bounty hunters have to complete other requirements, too. They have to go through an inspection of their criminal background and they will also take an exam. A U.S. citizenship is required, together with proof that the individual is a resident of the state. The driver’s license should be renewed and valid. It is essential that they haven’t committed any minor or major crimes. The age requirement for candidates depends on the state’s rules; some require at least 18 years old, while others require at least 21 years old. But most significantly, they should undergo considerable training. Several states require prospective bounty hunters to participate in an academy or community training college. The training won’t just be physical but also intellectual since these institutions will also show you the laws and tactics to become a reliable bounty hunter in the state. There are states which demand applicants to complete a few courses on the field.

Academic Prerequisites

Mastering the laws of the state concerning the career of bounty hunting is essential because there are many, and each must be followed to the letter if bounty hunters wish to operate within that state. States like Washington require bounty hunters to have “reasonable cause” to think that a fugitive is presently inside a building before entering private property. They are also needed to inform police officers that they are preparing to get into that property. A 24-hour notice to the officials prior to performing the work in the state is needed; after the arrest is made, the hunter is given 60-minutes to deliver information to the same office. After training is accomplished some candidates will take part in an apprenticeship, where they’ll function with an expert in the discipline to gain experience.

Certification And Licensure

After training is finished, a few states require candidates to first get a license before they can work as bounty hunters. To get this license, candidates should take and pass a licensing exam, which will cover the laws of the state. Several states will need an age limit depending on the state, mostly 18 or 21 years of age, achieved trainings, and completed internship. Other states will need the applicant experience in the law enforcement to acquire a license. A license will permit the bounty hunter to proceed to work in the state that gave him or her the license.