How To Become A Real Life Bounty Hunter.

In order to become a Bounty Hunter you must first find out what laws apply to Bounty Hunters in your State. Every State has differnet laws in regardes to Bounty Hunters and Bounty Hunting, for example: Check with the Department of Public Safety and Private Security Board if you want to become a Bounty Hunter in the State of Texas. You must not have any felony convictions in your background(in some States). You must be at least age 18(in some States) and pass a backgroung check. Some States require that you take a test and pass with a 70% or better.

First thing that you should do is: Go and talk to some Bail Bondsman and Private Investigators in your area. See if they are hiring. If not; volenteer your work to get your foot in the door for some training. Note: Be honest with the bondsman dont tell them you are a leathel weapon or my favorit bull, is when someone tells me there hands are registered as leathal weapons. Save it, none of this matters and besides lots of these guys have acsess to your history and your criminal background so be honest and upfront .Work out so much time a week maybe one day or 10 hours a week. Once you have your foot in the door and you are licensed. You can now pick up contracts from the Bail Bondsman in your State, it is normal to work for more then one Bail Bond Company.

The Bail Bondsman hire you usualy at a rate of 10% of the total face value of the Bail bond. Example: Bond amount is $5000.00, you capture the fugitive, you get $500.00 just for one capture. Any bonds under $1500.00 is a set fee of $150.00 so if the bond amount is $1000.00 you will make $150.00 dollars.

Once you have your foot in the door make sure that you always have a copy of the bail bond fugitive file, and authorization to apprehend signed by the Bail Bondsman giving you authorization to arrest the bond jumper and always have a signed contract stating how much you will be paid when you apprehend the fugitive. Note: ALWAYS have the Bondsman sign a contract  because, not all Bail Bondsman are good for their word. I have a saying "Some Bail Bondsman are no better then the worst people they bond out..." This is very true , some of them are very greedy with their money. Do not give them any discounts if you start doing this you will always be at their mercy wanting discounts on all big bond jumpers and you will not make much money, Remeber: The bigger the bond on a jumper the more money you make. As a Bounty Hunter you will live for the big bond jumpers the little ones are a dime a dozen.

If you still have problems getting the Bondsman to hire you then ask who his Bounty Hunters are or who should you talk with about getting into the field. This field is one of most difficult to enter, Bondsman usually have Bounty Hunters.

 Before ever trying to do this you must follow all States requirments and laws pertaining to each State pertaining to the bounty hunting industry. If you fail to adhere to the laws for each seperate state you may find yourself in trouble with the law. The liability alone for an unscrupilous, unexperienced Bounty Hunter breaking a state civil or criminal law can land Your Bondsman, and you employer a Law suit and may land you in jail. Example: You are making a lawful arrest and have the proper authorization, you cross a county line, you go to jail for Kidnapping.(this law applys in the state of texas) Know your laws for Bounty Hunting in your State.

You may choose to enroll in a "bounty Hunting Training Class" these classes are great for educational purposes. However, remember this does not allow you to Bounty Hunt in all States. Always check your Laws for each state, there are different requirements for each State pertaining to Bounty Hunting and in some State it is illegal.                    

Successful Bounty Hunters can make more then $100,000 per year while many part timers may make up to $25,000 or more just working some nights and weekends.

If you choose to meet with a Bounty Hunter or Bail Agent donot wear camouflage or all black clothing. Dress for success!!!

Some basic Bounty Hunter euipment Handcuffs,Cell Phone,Flashlight,Binoculars, Two-Way Radios,Pepper Spray,Body,Belly Chains,Leg Shacklies,Taser,ASP Baton and last but not least a Firearm. Some states you cannot carry some of these items so reminder to check with your state laws.

Its inportant as a Bounty Hunter that you donot misuse your euipment, doing so can cause a lawsuit for yourself/company you work for, or criminal charges thus leading to jail time or even prison.

Use of Force and Restraints

As a Bail Enforcment Agent/Bounty Hunter you should always use minimum amount of force/restraint necessary to control your fugitive whom is threatening, resisting or is being violent.

Bounty Hunter should always first identify himself. Give the fugitive verbal comands. Law Enforcment use the Force Continum based on the level of threat that they are faceing.

FORCE CONTINUM

PRESENCE-Open Stance/Ready Stance/Defensive Stance.

DIALOGUE-Search Talk/Persuasion/Light Control{Advice}/Heavy Control{Warning}.

EMPTY HAND CONTROL-Escort Holds/Pain{Pressure Compliance}/Passive Countermeasures/Active Countermeasures/Neck Restraint.

IMPACT INSTRUMENT-Verbal Warning/Hand on Baton/Present Baton/"Load" Baton/Feint With Baton/Use Baton.

FIREARM-Verbal Warning/Hand on Gun/Draw Gun/Point Gun/Shoot.

Use the force Continuum and understand it, you will be less likely to resort to your firearm prematurely. Use this law enforcment model and you will be less likely to be arrested for assult or involved in a lawsuit.

Note: Not all states allow Bounty Hunter's to carry weapons or to Bounty Hunt at all.

STATE BOUNTY HUNTER LAWS (Still Under Counsrtuction)

Alabama-Bondsman have wide latitude when arresting their principals.(Coad of Alabama 15-13-62)The bail bondsman can authorize someone to apprehend the fugitive just by endorsing a certified copy of the undertaking(15-13-117).The bondsman or his agent can pursue the principal anywhere in the state.must possess a certified copy of the bond,

Alaska-Any private citizen may arrest a Bail Bond Fugitive(AS 12.12.010, 12.25.030)and the surety may personally arrest the defendant for surrender before final charging(AS 09.40.200). UCEA.

Arkansas-Nobody can represent himself as a bounty hunter bail agent.Only licensed bail agents,law enforcment officers or private investigators can arrest fugitives. Must not have any felonies and be a least 21 years of age.

Arizona-A license is required. You must have a criminal backgroung check and be finger printed. No Felons or persones convicted of any offense involving use of any kind of dangerous weapon. Must have written permission to arrest on the behalf of the surety and a licensed bail bondsman in the state of Arizona.

California- Title Bail Fugitive Recovery a license is required in this state. (BFRP) Must have written authorization from the bondsman. Can not have any felonies, must be at least 18 years of age or older and have completed a 40-hour training course on powers-of-arrest, and a minimum of 12 hours of classroom education and training course in (power to arrest pursuant to Section 7583.7 of Bussines and Professions Code. BFRP must notify local police or sheriffs at least 6 hours before attempting to arrest a defendant. CA. prohibits BFRP from wearing a badge or other law enforcement apparel or carry a firearm except in compliance with CA. state law.

Colorado-Must not have any felony convictions in the past 15 years, Must be finger printed and have a criminal background check. Must complet a Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (POST) course from a private bail recovery program or accredited school.

Connecticut- A license is required. The local police department must be notified before any apprehension is attempted. You may not wear apparel, badges, or any euipment that looks like law enforcment items. You must have a permit if carring a firearms. You must pass a background check and a 20 hour training course. You can not be a convicted felon.

District of Columbia- No reglations for bail recovery agents. Must be licensed and firearms and use are restricted. Note : The Distric of Columbia is not friendly to bounty hunters.

Delaware- You must be licensed through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Must submit to criminal background check with no convictions of violent crimes or felonys. Must be 21 years old and be of good moral character. No crimes in which a firearm was used or any crimes such asthe use and/or possession or sale of illegal drugs. Never been committed to a mental facility. Must notifiy the state police and/or chief law enforcment officer from applicable municipality must be informed.

Florida-Free lance bounty hunters are not allowed. No one shall represent himself/herself as a bounty hunter,bail enforcment agent,or any other similar title. Only certified law enforcment officer's are allowed to detain,apprehend, and or arrest a person out on bond. Unless that person is licensed,qualified and appointed as required by law or licensed as a bail bond agent by the state.

Georgia-U.S. Citizen, 25 years or older,must have paper work from bail bondsman,if carrying a firearm must have a permit to do so.must notify local police if trying to arrest at a residence, if the skip is being arrested in a public place bounty hunter does not need to notify police.

Hawaii- No regulations for bounty hunters.

Idaho-No provisions for bounty hunters. Surety or his empowered agent may arrest defendant at any time .

Indiana-18 years or older , must past a state test, must be a resident of the state for atleast a year, Must be a U.S.Citizen and have no felony convictions within the last 10 years.No misdemeanor convictions within the last 5 years. Must notify state of all agents working for the bondsman also notifiy sheriffs department.

Illinois-Bounty Hunters are not allowed, not even in from another state.

Iowa-Must be licene as a bail enforcment agent, age 18 or older and have no criminal record. Before any arrest the BEA must have authorization from the surety. BEA must notify local law enforcment before trying to arrest the fugitive skip.

Kansas-No specific regulations for Bail Enforcment Agents. The surety or designated agent may track and arrest the fugitive and return him to the county were he was charged.

Kentucky-Bail Bond businesses and bounty hunters are banned. If an out of state bounty hunter comes into state to pursue a bail bond fugitive skip he must get a warrant.

Louisiana-

Maine-No specific regulations for bail fugitive recovery agents/bounty hunters.

Maryland- Surety may surrender defendant before a forfeiture.

Massachusetts-No specific regulations for bail recovery agents/bounty hunters.

Michigan-No specific reglations for bounty hunters, surety may arrest defendant.

Minnesota-No specific regulations for bail agents/bounty hunters. Surety may arrest defendant or have him arrested. They must notify police before any and all apprehensions.

Mississippi- You must be licensed, at least 21 years old and have been a resident in the state for 1 year, No crimes of moral turpitude or felonies on your record. Occupational title in this state is Bail Enforcment Agent. BEA may arrest the defendent any where in the state.

Missouri-The surety or his/her authorized agent may arrest defendent/skip any where in the state. Must have any and all paper work/copy from  the clerk of court before surrendering the defendant.

Montana-No specific regulations for bail recovery agents. The surety or authorized agent may track/arrest and surrender the defendent to the jail or to any police officer.

North Carolina-No Bail Enforcment Agents allowed. You can however work for one company at a time as a bail runner. Bail runners have to be at least 18 years of age, must have fingerprints on file with the State Bureau of Investigation , Bail Runners must have experience and Bail Runners cannot enter third party homes to search for bond skips. Bail Runners are hired for one reason. To help the Bondsman in surveillance, apprehension or to write Bonds.

ND-

NE-

New Hampshire you must have training and certification that must be state approved by Bail Agents. Bail Agents must register with the secretary of State and provide proof of registration. Bail Agents must notify law enforcment in the jurisdiction where the bail Agent will be making the arrest at.

New JerseyNo regulations forBail Recovery Agents except the defendant must be arrested and returned within 20 days after court takes action against surety for not showing up to court.
-

NM-

NV-

NY-

OH- No specific regulations for bail recovery agents or any specific statutes. Surety or anyone authorized by the surety may arrest the defendant with written authorization on a certified copy of the bond.

OK-

OR-

PA- Pennsylvania has no

RI-

SC-The surety may at any time and place arrest the principal, or by written authority of a certified copy. This mpowers anyone of suitable age and discretion to do so. but free lance bounty hunters are banned.

SD-

TN-Bounty Hunters must notify the local police of defendant's location. present the police a copy of the warrant and a copy of the bond. along with any proof that the bounty hunter was hired by the bail bondsman this usally a signed contract.

TEXAS-severly restricts bounty hunters. The suretymay arrest the fugitive without force or breach of the peace. Only security officers,private investigators, or police officers licensed in the state of texas.

UT-

VIRGINIA-Bail bondsman or surety may arrest the defendant at any time and surrender him/her to the court.

VT-

WA-

WISCONSIN-Bounty hunting is banned in this state. Only the surety may get authority on a copy of the bond. This giving the surety the power to arrest the fugitive.

WV-

WY-No specific regulations for recovery agents. surety or any authorized agent can arrest defendant at any time.

 

Caution: ALWAYS,ALWAYS,ALWAYS take last minute checks on the status of any fugitive warrant checks. You may check that morning and the warrant is active. You catch up to your fugitive and you arrest him and take him to the nearest jail and guess what? somwhere in between he now has no warrant and you have him in handcuffs this leading to kidnapping and your arrest. Always before knocking on any doors with the hopes that your fugitive is inside always call and confirm your warrant one last time.

NOTE: While the fugitive is in your custody, his safety is in your hands this meaning you are responsible for his saftey.

 

Bounty Hunters Legal Liability !!!
You can be sued civilly.
You can be arrested. Some charges that you can be arrested for are assault, false arrest, kidnapping. You can also go to jail for tresspassing and or property damage. Just the civil penalties alone could cost you thousands of dollors for doing any of these listed things at a third party residence. Any one of these charges could lead to you having a restraining order put on you, this causing your ability to carry a weapon and or never to have or hold a business or professional licenses or future jobs.
And last but not least you could be charged with murder if you accidently shoot someone or even your fugitive depending on the situation.

Arresting Your Fugitive.

1. Never ever handcuff yourself to your fugitive.
2. Never ever handcuff your fugitive to something other then his own wrists.
3. If fugitive was laying down when he was handcuffed never lift him buy the chain of the handcuffs.
4. When you place handcuffs on a fugitive always make sure you double locked them to prevent them from getting any tighter and causing any medical problems for the fugitive and lawsuits for you.
5. Never handcuff your fugitive with his/her hands in front of them. (Note: Many Officers have been killed for this mistake.)

Searching Your Fugitive For Weapons

There are three types of searchs when looking for weapons and or controband.

1. The Frisk
2. The Field Search
3. The Strip Search, This kinda of search should never be done by a Bounty Hunter/ Private Investigator. Leave this up to the jail. Note if you are taking a female into custody, have a female Bounty Hunter search the fugitive if able.
After transporting your fugitive to the jail or bondsman, you should always search your vehicle before and after transporting your fugitive for contraband or weapons. Sometimes you will find drugs disposed of by your prisoner. Note : If prisoner is moving around alot while talking to you, then beaware they may be trying to get rid of something drugs/weapons/ or may even be trying to free themselves from there handcuffs.

SOME TRICKS OF THE TRADE !!!

The Flat Tire Trick.
The Winning Number Check.
The Female Operative.
The Wanted Poster.
Reinstate the Bail.
Informants. Note: Informants are very important to Bounty Hunters. Some potentially good informants for Bounty Hunters are Local prostitutes, stripers/dancers, All night gas station attendants, Taxi drivers, Bartenders, pizza delivery drivers, Motel/hotel clercks, Security guards, Criminals on parole or probation, Delivery drivers, Friends, Ect. Note: NEVER EVER BURN YOUR INFORMANTS AND IF YOU PROMISED HIM/HER ANYTHING MONEY, FOOD ALWAYS PAY YOUR INFORMANTS YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY MORE FUGITIVES THEY MAY KNOW.

Some motives of Informants.
1. Fear of being arrested
2. Civic participation Honest security guards, mail man, businessmen or women wanting to help get a criminal off the street, law abiding citizen's.
3. Payment---Some people will sell information and you would be surprised how cheap.
Occupational Demands

* Persistence
* High Tolerance for stress
* Long hours

If you are interested in learning more about training to be a Bounty Hunter, Check these sites out !!

www.americanbountyhunter.org
www.bailtraing.com
www.bbfra.com
www.beabountyhunter.com
www.bondforfeitures.com
www.bountyhunt.com
www.bounty-hunter.net
www.bountyhunteremployment.com
www.dogthebountyhunter.com
www.findfugitives.com
www.firearmstactics.com
www.pimall.com
www.uenforcebail.com
www.wantedfugitives.com

Food for thought " while working in the streets or any time you are dealing with criminals your mental conditioning should be sharp. When ever you are in a high risk or high stress situation or encounter will determine the out come . If you are properly prepared and trained it can be a paralyzing threat to your adversary and or anyone you encounter. If you are unprepared, it can prove devastating to you and or your fellow bounty hunters. Your physical skill should be about 5%, Mental skill about 5%, Shooting skill 15% and of course LUCK 75%. Lets just say that your mind is the most dangerous weapon you carry. When ever you are be aware of what is going on around you at all times. Be alert to your "AWARENESS SPECTRUM" in law enforcment this is your levels of alertness. Condition White----- Condition Yellow---- Condition Orange--- STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION Condition Red------- Condition Black-----