Postsecondary Training Some college-level course work in criminal justice and psychology and training in law enforcement techniques are helpful. Many of todays bail bondsmen have college degrees in criminal justice, although that is not a requirement.
Step 1. New Jersey Bail Bondsmen School and License Requirements Be at least 18 years old. Be financially competent and trustworthy. Either complete a pre-licensing education course or have equivalent college credit.
The minimum education requirement to become a bounty hunter is usually a high school diploma. An undergraduate degree is not usually required, although many schools are beginning to offer bounty hunting courses and programs.
Background Check and Disqualifications A clean background is crucial. You cannot have any felony convictions. If you have a felony on your record, you are automatically disqualified from becoming a bail bonds agent.
The bail bond agent will need you to sign some paperwork in order for you to secure their services. This usually means paying an amount to the agent, usually a percentage of the total bail amount, and signing off on any collateral for the bond.
If the felonies on your record have been adjudicated by a court, in other words, not mere arrests where the cases have been dropped or dismissed by the prosecutors, then you will be prevented from qualifying for a license as a bail bond agent.
APPLYING FOR A BAIL BOND LICENSE Eligibility for a license is limited to persons who have not previously been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony, or to a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.
In Canada, bail bondsmen are illegal, although a few operate illegally. This means that an accused person who lacks financial resources in the community is left with no alternative but to await his trial in jail.