The work of the bail enforcement officers or even bounty hunters is to track down the whereabouts of those who have bailed out from jail but failed to attend court dates. People 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.
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How much are you paid as 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"]In return for their professional services, bounty hunters will usually get ten or twenty percent of the bond or bail amount as payment and they earn a yearly salary that is within the range of $50,000 to $80,000. There is a high recruitment rate in this field because of the growing number of cases where people disregard court dates. Those who sign up for the work complete with papers can expect the highest likelihood of getting hired.
Bail Enforcement Agent Job Description
The police bring an individual who committed a criminal offense in the station and keep 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 set against the arrested person. There is time for the prosecutor to lay charges during the time in between the booking and the court date. The time it will take in general is 48-72 hours depending on the laws and regulations of state. The accused will need to show up at the trial on the arranged date. There the judge will recite the charges that have been laid against the accused.
The defendant will then need to make a plea of guilty or not guilty. Bail will be settled by the individual whose charges are lifted by the judge, as he sees appropriate to the case. It is necessary for both parties because it keeps the expenditures of the police from increasing and it also gives the defendant liberty until their trial. Bail also works as an incentive for defendants to go to their trial.
The sum of bail given by the judge could be hundreds of thousand dollars. Sometimes, one can’t pay the bail by themselves. A bondsman will compensate the bail for the accused in this instance. Participating in the trial means the bail will be refunded. Failure to go to the trial will end up with a warrant of arrest without bail.
To avoid losing his money, a bondsman may hire a bounty hunter to track down, arrest, and bring the accused back into law enforcement custody. A bounty hunter will undertake interviews, researches, and many more activities if it means they could return the individual to law enforcement custody. Nonetheless, they still have to adhere to the rules of the state while doing this.
In Washington, there must be a reason for a bounty hunter to go into the building particularly those privately owned properties. In cases where they want to enter, they have to tell the enforcement authorities. In Virginia, bounty hunters are required to give police officers notice 24 hrs prior to an arrest and an hour after implementing 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"]There are states where a license for becoming bounty hunters is required. While other states are not too strict, some states are eager on letting bounty hunters perform their job as long as they follow the rules. 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 essential that anyone wanting to become a bounty hunter first gain knowledge of what his state requires.
Minimum Prerequisites
Candidates wanting to become bounty hunters should also comply with other prerequisites. They need to go through an inspection of their criminal history and they will also take a test. Proof that the individual is a resident of the state and a U.S. citizen is necessary, as well. A legitimate driver’s license should be shown. There is a need for the individual to be clean from any criminal offense, be it minor or major. Some states need applicants to at least be 18 years of age while others need candidates to be at least 21. The biggest factor to consider is the amount of training executed. Prospective bounty hunters will be given an opportunity to go to an academy or training center by the state. The training won’t only be physical but also intellectual since these facilities will also teach you the laws and techniques to become an excellent bounty hunter in the state. There are certain courses for the work, which some states will need the applicant to accomplish.
Education Requirements
Bounty hunting may only operate in the state providing the hunter will follow the laws, which is why there’s a need to master the laws of the state before being employed. States such as Washington require bounty hunters to have “reasonable cause” to assume that a fugitive is currently inside a building before entering privately owned property. The police officials have to know this before the hunter could get into the property. In Virginia, bounty hunters are expected to give authorities notice 24 hrs before an arrest and 60 minutes after making the arrest. Apprenticeship will take place right after the training; this is where they will implement their understanding on the field.
License And Certification
There are states that will need bounty hunters a license once they finish the training for the field. To receive this license, candidates must take and pass a licensing exam, that will cover the laws of the state. Prerequisites may vary in various states but the common ones are at least 18 or 21 years old, clear of any felonies, and a completed apprenticeship. In combination with these prerequisites, some states might also need that candidates have a background in law enforcement before they could get a license. A license will allow the bounty hunter to proceed to work in the state which gave him or her the license.