If you have signed a bail bond contract or are about to sign one, you might be wondering if bail enforcement agents are actually real.
The answer is, “Yes, they are.”
Bail enforcement agents work closely with bail bond agents to make sure that defendants appear in court for their scheduled hearings.
When a bonded person skips bail, bail enforcement agents are responsible for tracking the individual down and returning them to custody.
Thus bail enforcement agents play a vital role in the criminal justice system.
How Bail Enforcement Agents Operate
Bail enforcement agents (or bounty hunters) work under the supervision of bail bond companies. In fact, bail enforcement agents usually work in the bail bond company office and are only deployed into the field when the defendant skips bail.
While bail enforcement agents always try to de-escalate conflicts, they do carry firearms, tasers, and other equipment to use when necessary. When apprehending an individual, bail enforcement agents may use force. However, they prefer to use conversation and negotiation tactics.
Bail Bondsman vs. Bail Enforcement Officers
Bail enforcement agents have different responsibilities than bail bond agents.
The role of bail bond agents, rather than apprehending defendants, is to help defendants by providing them with bail bonds and offering professional assistance with the bail process.
Bail bond agents work together with defendants and defense lawyers to create viable bail contracts.
Once a given bail contract has been signed, the bail bond agent in question assumes the role of a surety, paying the court the full bail amount on the defendant’s behalf.
If the defendant jumps bail, the bail bond agent, as the surety, will be held liable for the full bail amount and will most likely lose the money to the court. This is when the bail enforcement agent enters the picture. Utilizing standard techniques, they locate the bonded person and bring him or her back into custody.
Are Bail Enforcement Agents Police Officers?
Please keep in mind that bail enforcement agents or bounty hunters are not police officers. Rather, bail enforcement agents work closely with law enforcement when an arrest warrant is issued.
Bail enforcement agents play an important supplemental role to law enforcement, as they handle a significant percentage of arrests for defendants who fail to appear in court.
This frees up time for law enforcement officers to focus on other important tasks.
A bail enforcement agent’s job is dangerous, as it is not uncommon for defendants to resist arrest. This is why bail enforcement agents are required to be licensed, undergo rigorous training prior to working in the field, and take continuing education courses.
Contact Us To Learn More About Bail Bond Process
If you would like more information about the bail bond process, call us at 901-523-2245. We provide bail bonds in all of Shelby County.
