How to Be a Bounty Hunter

Dog Chapman

Are you thinking of a career in law enforcement, but you would rather be your own boss. Maybe you would like to be a bounty hunter. Here are the steps to becoming a bounty hunter.

Instructions

1. 

   Although you do not need a degree to be a bounty hunter, you should have knowledge of the law and take some courses in criminal justice. Many certificate schools offer training in handcuffs & restraints, booking, transporting prisoners. Schools will refer to it as certificate in recovery specialist or bail enforcement specialist or a bail enforcement agent. There is also several online courses available, too.

2. 

   Along with some education you need to be able to talk to people. You will need to be able to talk to them over the phone and in person. Sometimes you will need to pretend you are someone you are not in order to track down where someone is, such as pretending to be a friend of the felon and you want to pay them back money you owe them. You need also great street instincts, so you know how to relate to people to get information from them.

3. You will need reliable transportation as you will be spending a lot of time driving, as you search for people. The less flashy the car the better as you will find that you will need to do clandestine observation and you don't want your car to stand out.

4. Apply for a job as a part time skip tracer, researcher, surveillance, or working for a private investigator, to help build your skills and until you can work in bail enforcement full time.

5. Prepare a professional resume. Include any military experience. If you have worked as a security guard or have trained in the martial arts, include that, too.

6. 

   State laws vary state to state so you will need to know the law thoroughly and whether licensing is required.

7. A Bondsmen will hire a bounty hunters to track, find and bring felon to jail so that the Bondsmen will not forfeit the bail bond. Bounty hunters typically receive a percentage of the bond for their work, which is around 10-15%. Go to Bail Bond offices in your city and introduce yourself. Give them a copy of your resume and a calling card and offer to accept 8% for a jobs. Be honest, real and professional. You may set such a good impression that the Bail Bondsman may want to mentor you.

Resources

• National Association for Bail Enforcement Agents