Bounty Hunters and Criminal Defense
People who have been arrested are initially detained in the county jail until they're taken before a judge to formally hear their charges.
Since it can be several days until this happens, the court allows most people not charged with a violent offense to go free until their scheduled arraignment.
In return, the suspect is expected to make a payment.
This payment is called bail.
When someone skips the arraignment or tries to flee, they become a fugitive.
When someone who has taken out a bail bond (loan) becomes a fugitive, the bond holder will often hire another private individual, known as a bounty hunter, to track the fugitive down in exchange for a reward.
Unfortunately, compared to law enforcement, they have a very vaguely-defined set of rights and powers.
If you have been charged with a crime, the reckless interference of a bounty hunter may keep you form the justice you deserve.
The practice of bounty hunting is a controversial one, currently only legal in two countries: the United States and the Philippines.
Instead most nations use their standard law enforcement agencies to track down people who have "skipped bail.
" In most states, they are allowed to enter private property without a warrant, a right which is denied to police officers unless they have probable cause.
In California, bounty hunters must undergo a background check and complete various certification courses, as set out in the California Penal Code.
Since the rights of bounty hunters are so vague and unofficial-after all, they do have some rights that even police officers are denied-there is a great potential for abuse.
Although they are usually not given the amount of criminal immunity that police officers are, improper behavior on the part of a bounty hunter can violate the rights of the accused.
If you have been charged with a crime, and the unjust interference of a bounty hunter has led to worse charges than you deserve, you need the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer.
Since it can be several days until this happens, the court allows most people not charged with a violent offense to go free until their scheduled arraignment.
In return, the suspect is expected to make a payment.
This payment is called bail.
When someone skips the arraignment or tries to flee, they become a fugitive.
When someone who has taken out a bail bond (loan) becomes a fugitive, the bond holder will often hire another private individual, known as a bounty hunter, to track the fugitive down in exchange for a reward.
Unfortunately, compared to law enforcement, they have a very vaguely-defined set of rights and powers.
If you have been charged with a crime, the reckless interference of a bounty hunter may keep you form the justice you deserve.
The practice of bounty hunting is a controversial one, currently only legal in two countries: the United States and the Philippines.
Instead most nations use their standard law enforcement agencies to track down people who have "skipped bail.
" In most states, they are allowed to enter private property without a warrant, a right which is denied to police officers unless they have probable cause.
In California, bounty hunters must undergo a background check and complete various certification courses, as set out in the California Penal Code.
Since the rights of bounty hunters are so vague and unofficial-after all, they do have some rights that even police officers are denied-there is a great potential for abuse.
Although they are usually not given the amount of criminal immunity that police officers are, improper behavior on the part of a bounty hunter can violate the rights of the accused.
If you have been charged with a crime, and the unjust interference of a bounty hunter has led to worse charges than you deserve, you need the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer.