What You Need To Know About Fugitive Recovery Agencies

Fugitive recovery agencies aid law enforcement by tracking down people who have skipped bail and safely returning them to the justice department. These specialists are also called bail agents, or bounty hunters, and states will regulate which terms can be used by recovery personnel. North Carolina, for example, forbids using the term bounty hunter. These necessary jobs require certifications and training from the state where they operate.

Why Are They Needed?

Those charged with or convicted of a crime may try to escape jail time by showing up to a court date or running away once bail has been posted. In these cases, the bail money and collateral are seized by the court and a warrant is issued. A certified fugitive recovery Surry County NC agency can then take up the effort to find and return the escapee for a fee which is usually a portion of the bail money. This helps law enforcement agencies cover more ground in a shorter time without drawing officers from other important matters or compromising the safety of citizens.

Who Can Be One?

Each state will dictate a different set of certifications and qualifications to become a bail agent and you must be licensed by the state you do recoveries for, though most will require that you be a resident of the state with a valid ID, have the equivalent of a high school diploma and be at least 21 years of age. Those who have been convicted of a felony or have recent drug charges are usually excluded from this profession. You will then need to take a licensing course and pass the test to become certified as a recovery agent.

Television shows and movies often make out the job of bounty hunter to be something cool and glamorous, but it is a necessary part of the justice system with the training, regulations and certifications to match. Bail agents are licensed recovery personnel who help return fugitives to the court safely and quickly by adding to the number of trained individuals looking for them.