Bounty hunters A.K.A Bail Agency enforcers are people who work with the criminal justice system to bring fugitives and bail jumpers to book. Bounty Hunter Job Description is usually required when an accused person skips bail or fails to appear before a court. Additionally, they enjoy some privileges and a degree of independence due to the importance of apprehending people who skip bail. In some cases, they have been known to enter the homes of fugitives without a search warrant. Although, this doesn’t prevent them from being legally exposed when they break laws. The thought of not wanting to be legally exposed is one reason why some organizations use them.
History of Bounty Hunting
Bounty hunting was first practiced in England in the 13th century. However, the system was designed so that you could not post bail financially when a person was held in custody. The bail-in this case was a person who acted as a surety. If the accused person didn’t return to face the charges brought against him, the surety would take their place and bear the consequences. In some cases, some sureties were hanged in the people they acted as guarantors for. The laws governing the bail system was significantly modified with the introduction of the Habeas Corpus Act 1679. This act’s importance meant that an accused person could be released from jail by posting a monetary bail against the practice of using a human surety.
During the colonial era, America depended on the Habeas Corpus Act for the administration of justice. The act was subsequently incorporated into the United States’ Constitution. The act was later amended with the 8th amendment to stop the setting of excessive fines. Furthermore, bounty hunters’ activities were strengthened in the Supreme Court case involving Taylor vs. Taintor in 1873. The case empowered bounty hunters to act on behalf of bondsmen against people who jump bail.
Although bounty hunting is still practiced in the United States, some states like Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oregon prohibit bounty hunters’ activities, as commercial bail bonds are banned. Additionally, some states such as Texas, Connecticut, Nevada, and California require a bounty hunting license in other to operate. However, some other states may not have as many restrictions to operate as a bounty hunter.
Bounty Hunter Job Description
The bounty hunting profession is not as glamorous and adventurous as portrayed in popular movies like the “Chronicles of Riddick” and “Django Unchained,” where Vin Diesel and Christoph come out smelling in roses. It doesn’t always end with the main actor living happily ever after. It requires a lot of patience, grit, brains, and brawn. In some cases, the bounty hunters have been known to encounter some resistance from the guilty party that has resulted in serious injuries and, in some cases, instant loss. This is where the brain or intelligence is needed as required, an insight into the target’s character and temperament being studied.
In some cases, it can take months or even years to track and apprehend these people who jump bail or refuse to appear before the court—this where the patience of the bounty hunter is tested. Patience also comes to play during the information gathering and investigation phase. As a matter of fact, a lot of research goes into researching laws governing a guilty person’s apprehension in other not to violate them. Additionally, it also involves the interview of people and witnesses to better insight into their tracking. As a matter of fact, their activities are similar to law enforcement agents and private investigators. The difference is that they are not direct employees of the government. Are you still interested in becoming a bounty hunter? If you are, then find out what it entails to become one.
Training and Education
Intending candidates who wish to practice the bounty hunting profession are not particularly required to have a particular degree in a particular subject. However, due to the bounty hunting profession’s regular interactions with people in the legal system, a formal degree in criminal law or liberal arts is recommended. This is to have a better insight into understanding how the law interprets the constitution, and of course, to have a grasp of human behavior. Additionally, while a formal degree is not essential, a sizeable number of states in the United States of America require the possession of a bounty hunting license. Of course, it goes without saying that a thorough understanding of the law is also essential in the business.
Salary, Earnings and Benefits
Bounty hunters can either operate independently or work with bounty bond companies. However, bounty hunters that bail bond companies employ usually charge a fee for a fugitive apprehension. This fee is usually in the region of 10% to 15% of the overall bail amount.
Furthermore, bounty hunters are usually former police officers and people who have worked for security outfits. However, some people have no prior experience. Still, like the job because of its flexibility—the annual salary for entry-level jobs in the profession is about $25,000 in the United States. For more experienced bounty hunters, the salaries can attract a salary as high as $100,000 or more a year, depending on their reputation.
Additionally, most bounty hunters do not enjoy the regular perks and benefits that people in other professions enjoy. However, those who bounty hunting companies may enjoy benefits like life insurance paid leave allowances, and vacations.
In Conclusion….
Although the bounty hunting profession is not as clear cut as those in the regular movies, the career is an exciting one involving a lot of painstaking research and hard work. However, a good knowledge of the law is required to succeed and be effective.
Also read How to Become a Bounty Hunter
