Fugitive Recovery is a service that bail bonding companies offer. They use fugitive recovery agents to track down defendants who skip out on their court appearances. These agents are often experienced in law enforcement and know the laws in their area well. The Fugitive Slave Act denied enslaved people the right to a jury trial and allowed bounty hunters to pursue them in free states. The act was a key contributor to the deep division over slavery that eventually led to the American Civil War.
They are paid a percentage of the bond
If a criminal jumped bail or violated the terms of their release, a bail bond company has a legal right to hire a bounty hunter to bring them back. These hunters are usually paid a percentage of the original bond once the fugitive is captured and returned. Many fugitive recovery North Carolina agents have a law enforcement background and are familiar with the laws of their state. They have the authority to arrest fugitives and are typically highly motivated. They are also trained in pursuits, weapon use, and hand-to-hand combat. Those who want to become a bounty hunter can start by pursuing an apprenticeship. This may be a job at a bail bonding company or finding a mentor to help them get started.
They are a high-risk career
Fugitive recovery is not for the faint of heart. It’s a high-risk career that requires you to be comfortable with risk-taking behavior in a calculated and planned manner. A bounty hunter must be ready to take on a case when a bail bond agent contracts them. They must then gather information about the skip—including their name, social security number, date of birth, known associates, and vehicle make and model—and develop a path to apprehend them. This information identifies and targets fugitives using INTERPOL Red and Blue Notices and Diffusions. Additionally, fugitives are tracked by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
They have a law enforcement background
Fugitive recovery agents use various methods to find their target. They use social media to search the person’s profile, their home, and the background of their family and friends. They also examine the person’s credit card, cell phone, and banking activities. They also use skip tracing and work closely with local law enforcement agencies. The USMS fugitive unit investigates federal warrants for probation or parole violators, bond defaulters, escapees, and warrants issued by state courts without arrest authority. It also helps coordinate fugitive operations with district offices and leads the Congressionally-funded regional fugitive task forces. Bail fugitive recovery agents can enter a fugitive’s home unless prohibited by state law. They are also allowed to carry firearms, tasers, and pepper spray in some states, but they must follow the strict rules of each state regarding these weapons.
They are trained
Fugitive recovery agents (bounty hunters) are highly trained professionals. They must complete a rigorous training course to be licensed by their state. They train to make the best use of available resources safely and legally. They use information on the fugitive collected from their clients, such as wanted posters and rewards, phone records, credit card and bank activity, and other sources of information to track the fugitive down. They must also train to mitigate the risk of violent encounters with fugitives. This training includes Officer Safety Training-Human Performance, and other courses. The U.S. Marshals Service also offers specialized tactical training for law enforcement officers. The aim is to reduce the number of use-of-force situations.
They are not required to attend college
Fugitives on the run must be careful not to make any mistakes that could lead to their capture. The most common mistake is contacting friends or family, which can give law enforcement agencies a path to follow. They also need to avoid using identity or other means of tracking that can tie them back to their crimes. If the fugitive does not waive extradition, a requesting state prosecutor must prepare an application for requisition (including the application, certification, affidavit, photograph, and fingerprints of the fugitive, and copies of the statute the fugitive is charged with violating). The prosecutor then presents this request to the Governor of the receiving state.
