Bail enforcement agent (BEA) as used within this chapter, shall mean any person or cooperative of persons, resident or nonresident, whose services or actions are performed for the purpose of capturing a fugitive, and including, but not limited to, any person who engages in the apprehension and return of persons who are ...
California regulates who can become a bail bond agent. The law requires individuals to meet various requirements to ensure safety and protect the public. Bail bond agents must be 18 years or older. Candidates must pass a background check and complete at least 20 hours of pre-licensing training.
Bail Enforcement Agent Certification (BEA) Designed for those persons seeking licensing in the State of Connecticut to apprehend persons who have eluded the Judicial process by “skipping”.
Candidates should verify licensing requirements in their area. Gain experience and network within the community. Bail bonds agents and bounty hunters have very close business relationships. Most work for bounty hunters comes from bail bond companies tracking down fugitives who have missed court after posting bail.
Bail bond agents can carry firearms (like regular citizens) and make arrests in California. However, they do not have the same power as police officers to investigate crimes, enforce traffic laws, or cordon off specific areas.
Fugitive recovery agents are professionals who find and retrieve fugitives who didn't make an appearance in court. Bail bonds companies employ these agents to help enforce the conditions of the bail bonds contract. The bail bond system allows some defendants to avoid spending time in jail pending their trial.
A bounty hunter works for bail bond agents to find and capture fugitives who have missed a court date, commonly referred to as skipping bail or jumping bail. Sometimes, a bail bond agent will also act as a bounty hunter when their clients skip court.
Bounty hunters have the legal authority to enter a fugitive's private property without a warrant and may use reasonable force to capture them.
Like officers, bounty hunters should keep their license with them at all times while pursuing a fugitive. However, they are not allowed to pose as officers or even wear badges that may make them look like officers. Except in rare cases, a bounty hunter cannot forcibly enter your place of residence.