Bond enforcement agent, fugitive recovery or commonly known as bounty hunters, are agents who track down criminals who disappeared before their trail in court. They usually earn about 10% of the bail value per criminal. This is a lot of money (can mean up to $50k – $100k yearly) and also a lot of risk. If you want to be a bounty hunter you have to be ready to face life and death situations. Here in this guide we will see how you can become a bounty hunter. Remember being a bounty hunter is a very experience dependent profession and it will take a long time to be good.
- First step is to research the laws of your country. Although bounty hunting is legal in the United States, regulations differ depending on which state you are in. The Taintor vs. Taylor case of 1872 states that bounty hunters can travel freely anywhere in the US to capture the criminal they are after. You, in all probability, will have to get some sort of identification proving you to be a bounty hunter. You will also require to have a permit for carrying around firearms. It is also a great idea to research legal requirements of nearby countries and states as this will enable you to follow suspects all over the place without any hassles.
- Make sure you understand the risk you are involving yourself into. All fugitives on the run are considered to be dangerous and well armed, and sometimes, law will not all you to carry guns or other firearms. There is always the chance that a fugitive you turned in will want to seek revenge. On the other hand its also true that most dangerous criminals never get bail and almost all the criminals who end up being caught by bounty hunters give in pretty meekly.
- Work on you spy skills. You must be able to investigate well. Some skills that will be vitally important are being able to detect lies, negotiate, research and dig a persons past, be invisible and impossible to trace, able to access phone and internet records, interview family members and friends etc. You should be able to do whatever it will take to find and take a criminal back.
- Train physically and mentally. Learn some martial arts and/or self defense training. Learn to aim well and shoot. You must be able to use anything as a weapon in dire situations. If you are an ex law enforcement official, or a military guy, then this will help a lot.
- Find yourself some clients. Get in contact with bondsmen or some bail bond agencies and offer to work with them. Being a bounty hunter means you are a self employed professional and like any other self employed professions you will have to market and advertise yourself. After getting yourself an assignment, obtain a copy of the fugitives identification and a bail piece. You will be required to posses the power of attorney to be able to arrest the fugitive for the bail bondsman.
- After this comes looking for the fugitive. Research the subject and find his ex-friends or people close to him ready to squeal. Trace him from his last location with the help of, phone numbers, social security number, license number or any other information you might possess. Trace his phones, and tip off motels and hotels on the way. When you finally find your man, surprise him. Show up as a delivery person or climb the window at the middle of the night. Avoiding physical fights is important as not only do you not want any broken bones but also because an injured fugitive will not be accepted by jails.
Follow the above instructions and soon you might be a great bounty hunter.
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