Not your regular type questions. Thanks for looking!

First off I want to say I respect every BEA agent there is in the US - you’re all doing a good job.

Second of all, I spent 3 hours reading every topic in this page - and skimming some of them. That’s how I’m interested in this business. To tell you about my state - I’m from California, and I’m 15. I know most of you are looking away right now, but yeah, I understand. Some people find me weird for wanting to be a Bail Recovery Agent right out of high school ; but I don’t care. I’ll follow my dreams, and I know if I put everything into my dreams, the dream will come out true.

So as you know about that, let’s put that aside because I have a few questions. I know most of you have good answers for questions ; so I figured I’d come here and post them here.

I know military and cop stuff would be good for you before you go into BEA. But trust me when I say this - I really want to do this when I hit 18, once I get my license and all. I really really really mean that. It may be impossible some people say, but it never hurts to try. I’m not gonna lie, I talked to some bail bondsman and they have told me this one class ran by scott hardell or something would be good as a start off to get your license. I know that’s true. And I’m planning to do that - if they come to California anytime soon.

So here it goes. I have my whole plan out righted. Finish high school of course first. That’s an always. Since School isn’t really my thing to be honest, I’m not interested into college. It’s just one of those things. I figured since I’m going to be 17 when I graduate, I’d get some personal training from the local sheriffs department. Such stuff like handcuffing, how to take somebody down correctly and stuff like that.

Weird for a 15 year old to be typing this? Yeah…

I read 4 Bail related books in 5 months, and viewed maybe 20 bail internet websites and read everything on them : will read more!:- that’s how dedicated and interested I am to this business. I know if I do everything right, I might be able to find a bail bondsman to work for when I hit 18.

If so then now… is it possible when licensed and all, with some entraining - to go to the bail bonds office and ask for a mentor, when talking with the local bail bondsman about the stuff you have done?
Is there anybody who would hire an 18 year old? Is it possible?
I know you cant use firearms when 18 - but I know im too young to plan this, but pepper ball guns seem the right guns for BEA if you ask me.

I know this is huge - but if anybody on this page has some answers for me ; I’d really love that.

Stay safe and do what you do best.

First of all, your enthsiam is appreciated. California does not have a license for Bail Fugitive Recovery Persons (at least not at the moment). There are several classes you are required to take and complete under California Penal Code 1299. You must then make sure that you always have those certificates of completion with you when making an apprehension. As far as anyone hiring or mentoring you, it is always possible. However, you must present yourself with a professional appearance. If you show up at a bail agent's office dressed like a SWAT team member or looking like a "TV Bounty Hunter", you will probably be asked to leave. Personally, I would not hire anyone that did not have a weapons permit. Just a safety thing for me. I also would not use the pepperball guns. Too many associated risks (other persons in the residence that are children, have respiratory or cardiac problems and the potential of putting out an eye, etc....besides I don't want you shooting a pepperball gun while I am in the same room!!).

The other thing is that there are very few people that make a living as a BFRP!!

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Randall Crew
Randall Crew & Associates
641-289-0136

Very well articulated for a 15 year old. Perhaps your calling would best be served as a lawyer - fresh ideas and approaches are what the Justice System needs.

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Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Thank you for the reply - it really means something. And thanks for the answers + suggestions.
Thanks again.



I really like your suggestion/idea but to be honest with you. That’s something my mom would be happy with me doing it. You probably know why out of these two. But to be honest with you sir, it just isn’t appealing to me to tell you the truth. At the end of the day - I cant wait for 3 years to pass until I hit 18. It’s just weird on how much I like Bail Enforcement - believe it or not. It’s the truth.

The State is reviewing the current requirements for BFRP in CA. The current requirements under PC 1299 will either be continued as is, additional education and training added or a complete overhaul with a State issued license or permit.

So you may have to complete a lot more training than is currently required. The minimum age requirement may go to 21.

I would suggest joining you local PD or SO Explorer or Cadet program. You will get practrical LE experience. Secondly, it may not be popular right now, but military experience would also be a big help. Mainly by teaching you discipline.

An eighteen year old coming in my office would not get any work. Heck, our own son is 23 and is just now getting into the business. Sorry to generalize but, too many young people don't have the discipline, work ethic, "street smarts" and PATIENCE to do any kind of work.

There are always exceptions but we don't have the time to train someone from scratch.

I see. I didn’t know that was going on at the moment. If it does turn to 21 - there’s nothing really bad happening. But about your view on 18 year olds. It may sound like I’m trying to argue here, I’m not sir, I respect your reply to my topic because I appreciate you taking you time to give me HONEST answers and reading my post up ahead. And the fact that you're a pro at what you're doing. But don’t you think if the 18 year old worked with a mentor side to side everyday - they would learn and develop all the things you mentioned? Probably not patience, but you cant judge every 18 year old on not having patience. I know Bail Recovery a lot of skip tracing and stakeouts are the main part of the job, almost you can say. 95% of the job is that, I heard and read. And 5% of the job is action and all that.

But yet again, I hope they keep it at again because I want to shoot at my goal that I have now and start at a early age so I can learn a lot more stuff as the years go on - and maybe get a job in an office. Even though seeing these answers, it’s really looking slim.

I know I'm sounding like an hypoctire here because I'm only 15. But this is truley my dream... even though it's hard to believe probably.

Thank you again very much for your reply.

I respect your attitude, respect that you are showing us, and your motivation to research, learn, and then act. Alot of adults don't even know this formula, so kudos to you for being mature.

Please allow that each state is different. For example, in most of the hunting states, teen agers can carry "long guns"- rifles and shotguns.
Here in Alabama, at age 18 you could perform BEA work and legally carry a shotgun, rifle, etc. anything but a pistol. Also, my state doesn't have any regulations at all over our industry at this point. It is a drastic contrast when compared to California.

Another contrast is that California has strict rules regarding "open carry" in regards to pistols: when you can, can't, security of the pistols, etc. Additionally you have various interpretations of those laws by police, DA's, attorney's, judges, etc. This darkly contrasts Alabama's open carry laws which state that any citizen of this state may open carry as long as they are afoot. This can be confirmed by visiting the packing.org website referencing Attorney General's opinion-1984.

As for hiring someone at 18, I wouldn't do it. Too many issues there. I just rejected a former USMC applicant because he is 20 yrs old and doesn't have a pistol permit for concealed carry. I told him to call me when he turned 21.

Also I am currently training 2- 20 somethings who have just returned from the war. Excellent interview, appropriate attire, credentials, etc. Very sharp individuals. Naturally they are eager and full of you know what, so it's simply a matter of training and explaining about "vicarious liability". They will grow into professional BEA's in time.

I have to agree with my colleague's advice: Join a Law Enforcement Explorer Post, ROTC, etc. Go to thier summer camps. This training will carry you far no matter which part of the CJ system you end up in.

Also, 1 thing you can do now for life preparation in general, is to train in the Martial Arts. Kung Fu, Tai Quon Do, Karate, JuJitso, etc. All of them have pros n cons, but all teach discipline. Many community agencies teach thease at affordable prices. Boys n Girls Clubs, YMCA's, etc. This is something you can do now.

Good luck, stay safe and God Bless.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Yessir, I have been doing Karate for 2 years now, and still going on with it. It's really enjoyable for me because it's simple to learn if you ask me.
I'm also taking Criminal Justice at my High School. Have been since last year, and plan on taking it in the next two years. Over the summer I plan to take some extra criminal justice classes in summer school classes. Since I have the time at this age - I figured I'd learn early about the laws around the united states.

Thank you for your reply - I really appreciate. It means a lot.

That's nice... I remember summer school. You had two types of students. The ones that had to go, and the ones that wanted to go. So I'm thinking a 15 year old that wants to go to summer school to be all he can be so that he might be involved in bail enforcement?? Wow

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Jay Shell
Covering North East AL.
AAA / Eagle Bail Bonds, LLC
Anniston, AL
256.235.2437

Just a suggestion to save time, you don't have to quote a post, just reply to the sender by name. We can look back and read what they posted to you.

And, good luck in attaining your dreams. As has been said, bail enforcement is a rough life, physically, mentally, and economically. It is a hard business to break into. Probably 95% combine it with some other form of income, so consider it a "side" job. If it works into a full-time profession, great. If not, you have something else to fall back on.

For example, my original profession was accounting. I didn't give that up to go into fugitive recovery or writing bail. I do all three, and have built a reputation for doing all of them very well. I am in a small town, so am the most convenient to call for writing a bond, but had I not worked hard to earn a good reputation, would not have been able to take many regulars away from the others.

I can understand where you are coming from, since I fell in love with accounting (which most people hate) at a young age, and will never give that up. I "fell" into BE because my hubby got into the work, and needed a female to travel with him. After a couple of years, we decided that my writing bonds and him still doing most of the BE was the way to go. These latter professions were more of a "learned" ambition for me, but because of my research experience and "acquired" aptitude for the profession, I have new professions that I love as much as my original one.

To succeed in life, you have to be multi-functional, and open to new ideas. You can't base everything on what you want, but must be willing to accept what comes your way. Follow your dreams, but also be realistic. Life requires a means of making money to survive, no matter what that means is. You may have to work at a job that you don't want to make the money to survive, while also working towards a goal. Never get so focused on one thing that you let everything else fail you.

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Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club