Fugitive Recovery Agent

The Reality Of Bail Bonds Television

Through the proliferation of reality television, tens of millions of people have become voyeurs to society's previously unfamiliar segments. The bail bonds industry, in particular, has been touched by this modern day phenomenon. A&E's smash hit, "Dog The Bounty Hunter", has made its protagonist, Duane "Dog" Chapman, a household name. The show put bail bonds and bounty hunting squarely in the collective living rooms, and conscience, of people around the world with its colorful characters and compelling story lines.

National Geographic's "Bounty Hunters" show, featuring the well known fugitive recovery agents Leonard Padilla and Robert Dick, has also raised the awareness of the bail bonds industry. But air time hasn't been limited to just those larger than life personalities and big name television franchises. A number of new bail bonds reality shows are preparing to hit the airwaves as well. The principal of Godfather's Las Vegas Bail Bonds is rumored to be filming a new show, while two former Marines are to be featured in a Utah based bounty hunter reality show called "Rock-n-Lock".

These new shows are on the heels of previously launched programs such as HBO's "Family Bonds", which chronicled a Long Island bail bond agency, and "Fuga Y Captura", which follows South Florida fugitive recovery agents.

As with most reality shows, those tied to bail bonds surely shape the viewers' perceptions of the industry itself. With so many preconceived notions and misconceptions of the bail bonds industry, are bail bond reality shows good for the business? Or do the sensationalized images do more harm than good? With so many extraneous pressures to the modern bail bonds business it is prudent to ask if reality television improves the general populace's view of an industry undergoing so much change and extraneous pressure.

In a society of people that would find it difficult to differentiate between a bail bond agent and a fugitive recovery agent, the slew of bail bonds reality shows has certainly raised the industry's overall profile. Most Americans can now at the least identify one bail bond agent (most likely Dog) and understand they play some sort of role in the criminal law process.

While most shows get traction from the excitement of fugitive recovery, that necessarily is predicated upon the notion that a bail bondsman's money is at stake when a bond is written. Astute viewers will connect the dots to recognize a bondsman's at risk capital means private enterprise has stepped up to manage a defendant's release rather than taxpayers footing the bill for housing defendants and/or tasking law enforcement with fugitive recovery. At a time when states can't adequately fund their own pension obligations, and the national debt is spiraling out of control, having the private sector pay for something otherwise paid for by taxpayers is a seemingly good thing.

Safety Tips for Fugitive Recovery Agents | Collateral Magazine

Fugitive recovery is a dangerous profession. It should not be attempted by any individual who has not been specifically trained to overcome encounters in the field. These are a few safety tips to help you be safe.

Training

Each agent must train on his own or with other agents daily. This training is paramount to surviving a deadly encounter. Exercises should include: cardio, strength and endurance. In addition, perishable skills such as self defense, arrest methods, building entries and firearms (daylight and low-light) are very important. At the end of the day, the rule to live by is “everybody goes home alive.”

Prior to each Fugitive Recovery Operation

Make sure that you have all documentation required for each fugitive. Assess the risk level of the operation. For instance, is the suspect known to be armed? Does the suspect have dangerous prior offenses? How many known associates are in the area where the fugitive is hiding? Ensure you have the proper number of agents to perform the operation safely and successfully. Check all weapons, safety equipment and vehicles prior to commencement of operation. Remember Murphy’s law; I can tell you from experience what can go wrong, will go wrong, so be prepared for anything. Go over the operational plan with all agents. The plan can be written or oral. Make sure everyone understands what their job is during the operation and go over the contingency plan for the operation. For instance, what will you do if there is a situation where you have to fire your weapon? What are your options? Have one agent in a nondescript vehicle surveillance the area for counter-surveillance, lookouts and dangers. Wait for positive identification from a distance, if possible. If it is not possible, then create a ruse to get closer to the suspected fugitive for positive identification. After identified, each agent should remember these six rules when approaching and contacting fugitives:

1) Watch the fugitive’s hands. This is why police officers always say, “Show me your hands!”

2) Look for possible weapons.

3) Look around for friends, relatives, or associates – anyone who might interfere.

4) Look for escape routes and be aware of them in case the fugitive tries to escape. This also should be mentioned in the initial operation plan.

5) Be aware of your footing. You can’t help your fellow agents if you sprain your ankle in a hole during a takedown.

Fugitive Recovery in Indiana, Laws, Regulations, and Getting Started

The fugitive recovery industry is a cut throat industry, as is the bail bond industry. As a recovery agent you must prove yourself as a quality investigator ...

Extraordinary Jobs for Adventurers

Fugitive recovery experts spend most of their time tracking down smalltime bail jumpers ... he basically waives his rights to the bonding agent—and if he ...

The American dictionary of criminal justice, key terms and major court cases

Contemporary bounty hunters refer to themselves as "fugitive-recovery agents" or "bail-enforcement agents." Monetary rewards are given for recovery of ...

120 jobs that won't chain you to your desk

FUGITIVE RECOVERY AGENT (BOUNTY HUNTER) A (Relatively) Typical Pay in the Life For many of us, the term "bounty hunter" conjures up images of Boba Fett, ...

The law of suretyship

The few cases that have directly addressed the impact of the UCEA in the context of bail fugitive recovery have diluted the common law and contractual ...