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Bail Fugitive Recovery Person

A Bail Fugitive Recovery Person is someone who tracks down criminal defendants who fail to show up in court after a bond company has posted their bail. They are commonly known as "Bounty Hunters."

The Bail Fugitive Recovery Act of 1999 established for the first time in California educational and training requirements for Bail Fugitive Recovery.

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and the Department of Insurance each have regulatory authority over different aspects of the law.

Under the Act, a Bail Fugitive Recovery Person must be at least 18 years old and have not been convicted of a felony. Other requirements are:

• Completion of a 40-hour "power of arrest" course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
• Completion of a "power of arrest" course certified by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services).
• Completion of 12 hours of education relating to the duties and responsibilities of a Bail Licensee certified by the Department of Insurance.

A Bail Fugitive Recovery Person is required to carry certificates of completion for the above training while performing his or her duties.

NOTE: The highlited underscored areas in this article are links to each agency's web page/articles/laws.