A bounty hunter is a expertly trained professional detective who works a specific niche within the private investigation arts. These brave souls place themselves in constant peril, by chasing after and apprehending desperate, and often dangerous, fugitives from justice for monetary reward, as well as for the common good. Bounty chasing is a growth vocation and offers many rewards for talented professional investigators.
This resource section provides an overview of bounty chasing, as well as specific articles detailing vital aspects of the profession.
Bounty Hunter Profession
Bounty hunting is also called bail bonds enforcement or fugitive recovery. Agents who work in this career often have a background in military or law enforcement, but some bail enforcement agents come from the private sector, as well.
Fugitive recovery agents may have to be licensed or bonded in some jurisdictions, in order to work legally. In other areas, there may be no regulations on the industry. However, a few locations have outlawed bounty chasing all together and working in these regions might be construed as criminal activity, such as kidnapping.
Obviously, before even considering working as a bail enforcement agent, you must be sure that you are well trained and prepared for the many rigors of the job. Additionally, you must fully understand your rights as a bounty chaser and exactly what you can and can not do to apprehend a wanted criminal. Read more about fugitive apprehension training
Career Information
Fugitive recovery agents are able to make money in 2 possible ways:
Most cases involve locating and capturing fugitives, who have jumped bail and are currently running from the law and their court-related obligations. These cases are typically contracted by the bail bondsman who secured the release of the fugitive to begin with. In exchange for apprehending and returning the criminal to face legal charges, the bail bonds enforcement agent usually receives 10% of the total bail amount.
The second way that some bounty chasing experts can make money is to locate and capture wanted criminals who have not been arrested as of yet, or those who have escaped from prison or a mental treatment facility. These cases offer a set reward for apprehending the criminal or for providing detailed intelligence which allows municipal law enforcement to make the capture.
Learn more about a bounty chaser career. It is vital to understand the answer to the question, “How much do bounty hunting experts earn “, before committing to this vocational path.
Bounty Hunter Guidance
Bail bonds enforcement is a tough and challenging career path. However, it is rewarding, both financially and personally, since bounty seekers help to preserve the peace and ensure public safety.
While there are no set educational requirements for becoming a bail bonds enforcement agent, the following skills are very useful: skip tracing, surveillance, a background in criminal law, self-defense skills, firearms training, restraint techniques and an insatiable desire to triumph over any challenge.
To learn more about becoming a fugitive recovery specialist, contact a local bail bonds agency or private investigation association for detailed information. You might want to inquire about specific bail enforcement agent training that may be available to you, in order to better your chances at finding a good job.
Still have bail enforcement questions? Read our newest essay, What is a hunter of bounty?