A bounty hunter is an individual who is hired to locate and apprehend fugitives who are attempting to avoid the law. These individuals are normally hired by a bail bondsman or an insurance company, and usually awarded a percentage of the bail or insurance recovery as compensation. More commonly referred to as a bail enforcement agent or a bail recovery agent, bounty hunters are responsible for apprehending fugitives who have skipped bail, failed to appear for a court hearing, or otherwise attempted to evade the law and consequences of their actions.
Modern Bounty Hunters
Today, bounty hunters have cut out bail bondsman and often work directly to apprehend fugitives. While some bounty hunters use less than legal means to achieve their goals, most modern bounty hunters operate within strict legal guidelines and don’t go beyond what is legal for their particular states. Depending on the state, bounty hunters also can carry firearms and are often equipped with GPS tracking, anonymous informant networks, and other high-tech investigative tools.
The Pros and Cons of Bounty Hunting
Bounty hunting is an attractive profession for those wanting to pursue a career in criminal justice and justice enforcement, although it can also be potentially dangerous. On the plus side, bounty hunters tend to make good money, as they normally receive a percentage of the bail or insurance recovery, and enjoy the freedom of being their own boss. On the downside, bounty hunters also have to deal with potentially dangerous situations searching for fugitives and are sometimes met with strong opposition during apprehensions.