Bounty hunters, also called bail enforcement officers, track down and arrest individuals who have been released from police custody on bail, but who’ve failed to attend their court dates. When individuals miss their trial while out on bail, they become fugitives of the law. They’re to be brought back by bounty hunters into the station so that they could attend another trial.
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How Much Do Bounty Hunters Make?
[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 services, bounty hunters will usually obtain ten or twenty percent of the bond or bail amount as payment and they gain an annual salary that is within the range of $50,000 to $80,000. There is a high recruitment rate in this line of work due to the growing number of instances where people ignore court dates. Those bounty hunters with official certification and working experience will get the most job opportunities available to them.
What Does A Bail Enforcement Agent Undertake?
When a person is arrested for a crime he is taken into police custody. The person will be brought to processing of information before a prosecutor could create a schedule on the court trial. Prosecutors have a certain amount of time after booking happens in which they must lay charges. Time may differ in various states but they commonly take 48 to 72 hours. The defendant will have to go to the trial on the arranged date. The trial will include the judge’s recitation of the prosecutor’s charges against the accused.
The judge will ask whether the defendant pleas guilty or not guilty. Once a plea has been made, the presiding judge, based on the crime the accused is charged with, may allow the defendant to leave police custody in return for bail. It is good for both parties since it keeps the expenses of the authorities from increasing and it also gives the accused freedom until their trial. Those who attend their court dates can even give bail as their motivation.
Judges may place bail at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Sometimes, one cannot pay the bail by themselves. This is where the bondsman will come in to cover the bail for the accused. There is a refund of the bail when the defendant attends the court date. Failure to participate in the trial will turn out with a warrant of arrest without bail.
Bounty hunter services are engaged when he bondsman finds out the accused will not be able to repay the amount of money because he or she failed to attend the court. A bounty hunter will undertake interviews, researches, and many more activities if it means that they could return the person to police custody. However, they still have to adhere to the rules of the state while doing this.
States such as Washington require bounty hunters to have “reasonable cause” to think that a fugitive is presently within a premise before getting into private property. They are also expected to notify authorities that they’re preparing to get into that property. If the bounty hunter is in Virginia, he will need to make a 24 hour notice in advance and a 60 minute notice following the arrest.
Getting Ready 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"]A few states need bounty hunters to have a license to work within that state. While other states aren’t too demanding, some states are eager on letting bounty hunters do their job as long as they follow the rules. There are states that do not tolerate bounty hunting in any form. Because the licensure process and prerequisites vary from one state to another, it’s vital that anyone wishing to become a bounty hunter first gain knowledge of what his state needs.
Minimum Prerequisites
People wanting to be bounty hunters have to accomplish other prerequisites, as well. They should undergo a criminal record assessment and they should pass an examination. They must be a citizen of the U.S. and should be a resident of the state they wish to work in. A valid driver’s license should be shown. There is a need for the individual to be clear from any criminal offense, be it minor or major. Some states need applicants to at least be 18 years of age while others need applicants to be at least 21. But most importantly, they should undergo thorough training. Many states need prospective bounty hunters to participate in an academy or community training college. The training will not only be physical but also intellectual since these institutions will also teach you the laws and techniques to become an effective bounty hunter in the state. There are particular courses for the job, which some states will need the applicant to accomplish.
Academic Requirements
To be hired in bounty hunting, it is essential that the individual finds out the laws of the state in the matter so that no illegal activities are made in the middle of the process. There are states such as Washington, which needs bounty hunters “reasonable cause” before they can get into the privately owned property and do their work. The police officials need to know this before the hunter could get into the property. A 24-hour notice to the authorities prior to doing the job in the state is needed; after the arrest is made, the hunter is given 60-minutes to deliver information to the same office. Apprenticeship will take place right after the training; this is where they will implement their knowledge on the field.
Accreditations And License
After training is finished, a few states need candidates to first get a license before they could serve as bounty hunters. A licensure examination on the laws of the state will take place. Other specifications include a clean criminal record, an age which is at least 18 or 21 depending on the state they reside in, completed training programs, clean criminal records,and a completed apprenticeship program. In combination with these requirements, some states might also need that candidates have a background in law enforcement just before they can acquire a license. As soon as a bounty hunter becomes licensed he’ll be able to work freely within the state that awarded him his license.