Become an Alabama Bounty Hunter
The career of bounty hunter is one that is exciting, challenging, and very lucrative. It is definitely not a career for everyone, but those who have what it takes find themselves enjoying one of the best jobs on the planet. If you want to enter this career in the state of Alabama, you must be familiar with the laws and requirements of the state in order to make your new career a success. Here is everything you need to know:
Education and Training
The first step toward becoming a bounty hunter in Alabama is to get the required education and training. Alabama allows bounty hunters to complete training completely online, making it convenient for all interested students. Training programs stress criminal justice and provide students with the needed skills and knowledge to become a Private Investigator, the requirement for being a bounty hunter in the state. Candidates who complete this training are qualified to work not only as bounty hunters, but also as certified law enforcement agents, corrections officers, or other criminal justice specialists, allowing for a wide range of alternate career options.
Alabama Licensing Requirements
Once the education and training is complete, candidates must become licensed as bail agents. Candidates may apply for licensure as a Professional bondsman through the Alabama Department of Insurance. Alabama state licensing requirements include being a resident of Alabama, having no convictions for felonies or crimes of moral turpitude, having no outstanding forfeitures cue to a surety undertaking, and having no violations within the last two years of the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. In addition, agents must have financial net worth or assets to cover any financial obligations that arise pursing a bond.
Alabama bounty hunters must be stay current on state regulations and ensure that no third party has interest in the bonding business. Finally, bounty hunters in the state must operate under a state business license, typically as a Private Investigator. Resources and information regarding this requirement are available through The Alabama Professional Investigator Association.
Once licensed, the bounty hunter must register with the Alabama Department of Revenue, pay a licensing fee, and post a surety bond. Attorneys, judicial officials, or other individuals authorized to accept an appearance bond are not allowed to work as bounty hunters in the state.
Weapons Laws in Alabama
Alabama allows bounty hunters to carry firearms at the age of 18 or older. If you wish to carry a concealed firearm, you must be 21 or older and follow all regulations for a concealed carry permit.
Alabama’s Bond Process
Bounty hunters must apply as a professional bondsman with a local county surety or bond company. A list of agencies is available through The Alabama Professional Investigator Association. Bounty hunters must be sure to have sufficient capital to meet the bond of forfeiture and must wait the required 28 days before collection is pursued. Bounty hunters must complete the Alabama Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of authority and receive a bondsman’s process from the court to make a legal arrest.
Bounty hunters must present a letter of endorsement as the arresting agent before making an arrest and must be sure to avoid using undue force or to cause physical harm in the process of capturing and arresting the fugitive. Alabama laws allow bounty hunters to arrest a fugitive anywhere, but agents cannot enter a third party’s residence to make an arrest because the bail contract is with the fugitive only.
If you wish to become a bounty hunter in Alabama, you are entering a very promising and rewarding career. The first step toward your new life is to find an excellent bounty hunter training program so you can get the skills and training you need to be successful in this field.