Bail Bond Agents
Bail bond agents are privately employed individuals who will post bail for an arrested individual at only a percentage of the official bail amount determined by the court. At the arraignment, the judge will decide if bail is appropriate and if so at what amount. A bail bond agent will then guarantee the individual's appearance at the scheduled court date for a percentage of the monetary amount or for property collateral. A bail bond agent assumes the monetary risk for the full bail amount and will make every effort to ensure the accused individual appears at their appointed trial date. Often times, bail bond agents will employ individual who attempt to recover the forfeited money by arresting the bail client for non appearance.
Bail bond agents may also attend specialize schools to train for a career in bail bond enforcement so they themselves may apprehend individuals who "jump bail" by not appearing for their scheduled court dates. Bail bond agents who also practices bail enforcement are sometimes referred to as "bounty hunters" and are skilled in tracking and arresting bail offenders to turn them over to law enforcement officials. Requirements and rights of bail bond agents vary state from state and many are allowed to carry weapons in pursuit of a criminal, although some choose not to.
In addition to training in the legalities of being a bail bond agent, as well as how to safely apprehend an individual for whom there is a warrant issued; states differ in their licensing requirements. Most states require a license to be an officially recognized bail bond agent and some require an examination to be passed. Some states will waive the written examination if the individual has prior experience as a bail bond agent in another state. The minimum years of experience required to not be subject to examination are determined by the individual state. A career as a bail bond agent is an exciting, fast paced and sometimes very lucrative path.