Questions about the business

Hi, I'm an aspiring author writing a novel about a bounty hunter, and if nobody minds, I was wondering if I could get the answers to a couple of questions? Sorry if this isn't kosher; if it isn't, mods, feel free to delete this.

1. Can a bounty hunter be entirely freelance, as in hearing about or seeing a bounty and going after him independently, or does he have to be part of an agency or business?

2. Can someone be a private investigator and a bounty hunter at the same time?

I suppose that's it. Thanks in advance!

1) In some States Yes, he may work as an Independent Contractor with a Bail Bond Company / Insurance Company, and in Some Other States NO, (Like Florida - IT IS A FELONY 3RD DEGREE to BOUNTY HUNT, one must be a Licensed Florida Surety Agent and Resident of Florida to affect arrests of people failing to show up for court appearances while out on bond, or arrest for violating one's Bail Bond Conditions)...

2) Yes, one can be both in some States... once again Laws are different from State to State..

_________________
JEFF P.
Limited Surety Agent (FL) - License # P_2O8124_
Private Investigator (FL) - License # C_27OOO33_
NABBI Member



"Surprise Sex is the Best Thing to Wake up to, UNLESS, You are in Jail... "

Here in Indiana you must be licensed as a recovery agent or a bail bondsman. Also you can concurrently hold a PI license with either.

_________________
Jeff Downer
Jeff Downer Bail Bonds
Indianapolis, IN

In California, the bounty hunter must be authorized by the bail bond company to pursue the "wayward bail client." This authorization to apprehend must be in writing.

_________________
Jason Pollock
Owner/Operator
Surety Risk Management
Los Angeles, California
(323) 786-FIND

"Approach is Everything."

The answer to #1 is actually an unequivical "NO". To do "bail fugitive recovery" one must be sanctioned, by either the surety or bondsman, for that individual case. Now, the old-school original definition of "bounty hunter', was anyone who brought in, or killed, folks for a price. These folks would learn of a "bounty" on someone's head and set out after them. It is in no way connected to legitimate bail enforcement. Nor is it legal.

_________________
Tom Duprey
Founding member, NABBI (Nat'l Assoc. of Bail Bond Inv.)
Ca. Bail Agent Lic#1845795
Owner/Operator, Thomas Duprey Bail Bonds
Owner/Operator, Orange County Bounty
(714) 727-4689

Virginia, you need be licensed as each.... bail bondsman, recovery agent, PI.... but you can be all or any at the same time, but licensed.

DCJS (Department of Criminal Justice Services) is the regulatory agency of the above and in fact, they also oversee many other licensing requirements.... for the following:

and for reference, their website: http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/index.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


Registration Categories:

Conservator of the Piece
Tow Truck Driver
Alarm Respondent
Armed Security Officer
Armored Car Personnel
Central Station Dispatcher
Out of State Central Station Dispatcher
Electronic Security Sales Representative
Electronic Security Technician
Electronic Security Technician's Assistant
Locksmith
Personal Protection Specialist
Private Investigator
Security Canine Handler
Unarmed Security Officer/Courier

Let's just say, they have their hands full.................... and it seems, their pie get a bit larger as time goes on...............

_________________
Bill Marx, Sr.
"FREE STATE BAIL BONDS"
"FREE STATE INVESTIGATIONS"
DCJS: 99-176979
Cell: 434-294-0222

"Endeavor to Persevere" "Lone Watie"

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that , comes from bad judgment" "Will Rogers"

1. As most folks have, and will say, this varies by state. In Washington, you can be freelance. The licensing requirements are fairly strict, but not as strict (or intensive) as other states. We (in WA) do not have to "work" for a specific bail bond agency exclusively. We just have to be licensed, have a contract for a fugitive with a bail bond agency, and a notice of forfeiture and/or notarized affidavit (usually for bond revokes) to surrender a fugitive to jail. Out of state recovery agents must work with a WA licensed agent to perform recovery operations in Washington.

2. While I do not have the specifics on this answer, I do not see why there would be restrictions in Washington preventing this. (Other WA PI's chime in if you have conflicting info).

That is what i've got, long story short is that what you are asking varies greatly by state. Good luck with your novel and I hope you get all the information you are looking for and as accurately as possible.

_________________
Aaron Darby
Washington State
Bail Bond Recovery Agent - #400

You can, and MANY do, freelance in California, too. What I meant by "sanctioned", was that you had to be hired by them for that specific case, not that you had to be working for them in any regular capacity. Nowhere, do I believe, can you just get word of a fugitive and, licensed or otherwise, pursue and apprehend them outright. In some way, shape or form, you have to be onboard with the bondsman or surety that wrote the bond.

_________________
Tom Duprey
Founding member, NABBI (Nat'l Assoc. of Bail Bond Inv.)
Ca. Bail Agent Lic#1845795
Owner/Operator, Thomas Duprey Bail Bonds
Owner/Operator, Orange County Bounty
(714) 727-4689

One of my "former" associates.... went into a small town in NC and put up about a dozen "wanted posters" with the picture of the skip and a statement.... "WANTED DEAD OF ALIVE?!"

The local sheriff and also the police chief called me and asked what the hell was the matter with "my buddie?".... I called him and told him to call the sheriff and a few months later... the sheriff, whom I knew a bit better than my buddie... told me that he "blasted" my associate and told him.... "Mr. @#$%, this is not Tombstone or Dodge City and you ain't Hopalong Cassidy or Clint Eastwood... so to take down those posters RIGHT NOW!!!"

My friend and associate, whom I have known for many, many years... over 35... is no longer in the business... he retired last December... He and I went into the business the same time... he chose to get out.... I am still at it....


Maybe I should delete this and put it somewhere else... oh well....

BTW..... MY SON AND I MADE A NICE RECOVERY TODAY.... did a sneak and peek and a 2 hour stakeout at a former employers office... other than a guy that looked like ZZ Top coming at me... no, I did not pull a gun... I just told him it would be better not to do anything to me because my insurance had lapsed and I had a bad knee... he just laughed and backed away... no physical harm to anyone, no screaming, yelling... no macho, BS, guns drawn... he went in the back, I went in the front.... cuffs on, back to the jail, end of the deal.... Tim was dressed like he was going to the mall... I looked, as usual, like I was in Virginia Beach at some bar... (which is where I think I am going this weekend)

_________________
Bill Marx, Sr.
"FREE STATE BAIL BONDS"
"FREE STATE INVESTIGATIONS"
DCJS: 99-176979
Cell: 434-294-0222

"Endeavor to Persevere" "Lone Watie"

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that , comes from bad judgment" "Will Rogers"

I find myself often envious of you Mr Marx.

_________________
"Cage"
Recovery Agent
Bail License #40313820