Steeles Tavern Virginia Bounty Hunter Salary And Job Requirements

The work of the bail enforcement officers or bounty hunters is to track down the whereabouts of those who have bailed out from jail but failed to attend court dates. Once individuals miss their trial while out on bail, they become fugitives of the law. Fugitives are arrested by bounty hunters and returned to police custody where they will await trial.

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How Much Do Bounty Hunters Make?

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Apart from the ten to twenty percent share on the bond, a bounty hunter earns $50,000 to $80,000 each year. There is a high employment rate in this field because of the expanding number of instances where individuals overlook court dates. Credentials will be required from those who apply since it will provide them more chances of getting hired.

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

A criminal will be brought to the police station. The prosecutor will then specify a court date for the individual after he has accomplished the required papers and records while in police custody. There is time for the prosecutor to place charges during the time period in between the booking and the court date. In a few states, this period is 72 hrs and in others, it’s 48 hrs. The defendant will have to show up at 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 consult whether the defendant pleas guilty or not guilty. A process will take place and if the judge sees fit, he or she will set the individual free after bail has been completed. It is good for both parties because it keeps the expenses of the authorities from growing and it also gives the defendant liberty until their trial. One may also see bail as a merit for those who don’t slip trial dates.

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. This is where the bondsman will come in to pay the bail for the accused. If the defendant shows up at his court dates his bail will be refunded. Failure to go to the trial will turn out with a warrant of arrest without bail.

To prevent losing his money, a bondsman may hire a bounty hunter to track down, arrest, and take the defendant back into law enforcement custody. The duties of the bounty hunters include interviewing, researching, and more so that they will locate who they are searching for. While they’re at it, they still need to remember to follow the rules of the state.

States such as Washington require bounty hunters to have “reasonable cause” to think that a fugitive is presently within a premise before entering private property. In instances where they wish to enter, they have to tell the enforcement authorities. If the bounty hunter is in Virginia, he will have to make a 24 hour notice beforehand and a 60 minute notice after the arrest.

Means To Become A Bounty Hunter

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Other states in the United States authorize bounty hunters providing they have the proper credentials and license. While other states aren’t too strict, some states are keen on letting bounty hunters do their job as long as they adhere to the law. A number of states, however, have restricted the practice of bounty hunting entirely. Because the licensure process and prerequisites vary from one state to another, it’s important that anyone planning to become a bounty hunter first gain knowledge of what his state needs.

The Prerequisites

People wishing to be bounty hunters need to accomplish other requirements, as well. There will be an examination and a background check for their police records. They must be a citizen of the U.S. and must be a resident of the state they wish to work in. The driver’s license must be renewed and legitimate. They must not have made a felony or misdemeanor. Some states require applicants to at least be 18 years old while others need applicants to be at least 21. But most significantly, they must undergo thorough training. Potential bounty hunters will be given an opportunity to head to an academy or training center by the state. There they will be shown the laws they should comply with while working as a bounty hunter and the skills they’ll require to catch fugitives. There are certain courses for the work, which some states will require the applicant to finish.

Requirements In Education

Mastering the laws of the state concerning the profession of bounty hunting is essential since there are many, and each must be observed to the letter if bounty hunters wish to work within that state. States such as Washington need bounty hunters to possess “reasonable cause” to think that a fugitive is presently within a building before entering private property. Before entering, they have to let the law enforcement officials of the state know. The law enforcement office will require a bounty hunter to present information 24 hours before the arrest and 60-minutes following the arrest. After training is completed some applicants will take part in an apprenticeship, where they’ll function with a veteran in the discipline to gain experience.

Credentials And License

After training is done, a few states require candidates to first obtain a license before they can function as bounty hunters. To receive this license, candidates must take and pass a licensing exam, that will cover the laws of the state. Several states will need an age limit depending on the state, mostly 18 or 21 years old, accomplished trainings, and finished internship. Some states will give a license to those who have law enforcement backgrounds. A license might only authorize the bounty hunter to do his work without prohibition in the state he applied for.