Bail Bondsmen Vs Bounty Hunters – What’s the Difference?

When you are facing being arrested or you are facing jail time, one of the things that you’ll quickly learn is there a lot of legal vocabulary that you will have to learn. Two terms that you are likely to hear are bounty hunter and bail bondsman.

Chances are that you’ve seen the term bail bonds during your travel and there used to be a show about a bounty hunter. A lot of people think that they are both the same thing. But even though these two types of people work with one another, the descriptions for their jobs are really different. Below we’ll take a look at bail bondsmen and bounty hunters and see what the difference is between the two.

What Are Bail Bondsmen?

To understand what bail bondsmen are, you have to understand bail. Bail’s money that you’ll pay when you’re arrested and go to jail. The money’s paid as a secure measure that ensures that you are going to return to court for the court dates. In case you don’t show up, the money is lost. Bail bondsmen or bail bond agents are people or corporations who will cover the bail for someone for a commission or fee. Bail bondsmen have to be state licensed and also must know a lot about the country’s legal system.

Generally, bail bondsmen have standing agreements with the court that they’re going to cover court or bail fees for defendants they’ve created contracts with. The charge usually is 10-15% of the amount of bail to be compensated for the service. Since the bondsman will have a great deal on that defendant coming to the court on their assigned day, they’re going to do everything they can to ensure the defendant appears. That is what they use bounty hunters for.

What are Bounty Hunters?

When a defendant fails to come to their court date, bounty hunters are hired for finding and capturing the fugitive. They then bring the person to ensure the bail bondsman isn’t losing their money. Therefore, when the defendant signs the contract with their bondsman so they don’t have to stay in jail and then they run off, so they can avoid their court orders, the bail bondsman might hire one of the bounty hunters so the person’s brought in.

The regulations about bounty hunters will vary depending on the state. Some states require that bounty hunters have to have training and receive a license. Other states don’t require a license or training and the person just has to by one of the bail bondsmen. In a lot of states, a bounty hunter can enter the home of a fugitive without having a warrant so that they are able to issue the re-arrest. But there are also many states in which the practice of bounty hunting’s restricted or even banned.

Being a bounty hunter can be really dangerous and that’s why an agent often is trained in restraint and defense techniques with different weapons. It’s often necessary that they use surprise so that they are able to catch the fugitives they’re after.

While bondmen they’re working for will be hired to make sure that things are running smoothly when defendants need help with making bail, the bounty hunters are the ones who have to step in anytime things don’t go right.

Why Choose A Way Out Bail Bonds?

Accidents happen. The need for bail can arise at anytime. That’s why our bail agents are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here for you, with an office in Downtown Fort Myers, Florida. We make obtaining a bail bond easy and hassle free.

Our agents are compassionate and understand the tremendous stresses you face when trying to arrange bail for a friend or loved one.

When you need bail, time is of the essence. That is why our offices are conveniently located within walking distance of the Lee and Hendry County Jails and service clients in Lee, Charlotte, Collier and Hendry Counties.

Contact Us

We are located within walking distance of the Lee County and Hendry County Jails. We offer prompt, courteous services to obtain the quick release of our clients from Southwest Florida detention facilities. We also offer bond postings outside our local area through our Surety Network. We accept all major credit cards, Western Union, and personal checks.