how to become a bounty hunter in illinois

How to Become a Bounty Hunter: A Quick Guide Bounty hunters have several alternative job titles depending on one’s state, and include fugitive recovery agent, bail enforcement agent, bail recovery agent, surety recovery agent, skip tracer, and bail bond enforcer. Degree: No specific degree is required, but many fugitive retrieval agents complete associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in related fields like criminal justice. When working as a private investigator in Illinois, you can expect to earn an average yearly salary of $46,140. Private investigators are used by law firms, law enforcement, insurance companies, as well as individuals to conduct investigations to build criminal and civil cases. You cannot become an authorized or licensed bounty hunter in Oregon. The practice of bounty hunting can be an exciting job with good pay (upwards of $100,000 a year for experienced bounty hunters), but learning how to become a bounty hunter is not something that can be done overnight. No other single decision made by someone wanting to learn to become a bounty hunter is so crucial! 1 … Additional Reading. IN CUSTODY: Fugitive of the Week David Kelly is a registered sex offender who failed to register his residence, US Marshal ‘Mindhunter’ activated in search for cold case fugitive Lester Eubanks. If a state makes it unlawful to hunt a criminal physically, the Bounty Hunter must use investigation and skip tracing abilities to bring him in. Keep in mind that an efficient Bounty Hunter is a successful Bounty Hunter. Fingerprinting fees may vary by vendor but some fees are as low as $9 (as of March 2016). Bounty Hunter Careers. When someone gets released from jail on bond, they pay a fee to a Bondsmen who pays the court for their bail. A federal recovery agent is tasked with capturing the person who ran. Many people gain clients through referrals and word of mouth. Some states, such as Washington, won't license a bounty hunter if he has been convicted of any crime in any jurisdiction. Illinois has a population of over 12 million people, but the state does not have a private bail bond system.1 This makes the job of a fugitive recovery agent, or bounty hunter, unlawful. Most states have laws regarding what type of hunting you can do whether it is physical or not. Basic State Requirements. The principal has to be surrendered to the sheriff of the county of jurisdiction (16-13-63). 630 of those investigators, as recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, work in the Chicago area. If you want to work in this field in these states, you must become a bail enforcement agent. To become a Bounty Hunter in Missouri one must complete extensive education and training in legal studies, defensive tactics, and firearms usage. TIP: As of 2009, freelance bounty-hunting in Florida, North and South Carolina, is banned, and Oregon, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Illinois do not allow bounty hunting at all. Step 5: Become Bonded . Criminal History: Illinois private investigators cannot have been charged with a felony in the past ten years. A bounty hunter is a professional person who captures fugitives or criminals for a commission or bounty. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Private Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes339021.htm 4. However, Illinois does allow for similar professions, such as private investigation. Sometimes clients panic and run from their trials, which is basically a lost investment for their bail agents. Bounty hunters can benefit greatly from degrees related to criminal justice as well as having law enforcement experience. Finding clients as a private investigator will take skill and persistence. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: http://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm, © Copyright 2020 How to Become a Bounty Hunter. Only a handful of states -- Kentucky, Illinois and Oregon -- prohibit bounty hunters entirely from making bail arrests. The truth is, these heroes exist, but they do not use magical abilities or special gadgets to track their targets. Application forms are available from the Department of Insurance and require that you are a resident of the state with a high school diploma or GED and have completed 24 hours of initial basic training and pass an examination. Along with these requirements, there are steps you must take in order to receive your private investigator license in Illinois. Bounty hunters, also called bail enforcement officers, apprehend fugitives who are running from law enforcement. It’s one of four states that prohibit the practice, as well as commercial bail bonding. See generally Code of Ala. 15-13-62. You should have a bachelor’s degree in an area related to private investigation, such as law enforcement or business. Bounty hunting became part of the U.S. Law Enforcement System after a decision in the Taylor v. Taintor Supreme Court case in 1872. Once you complete the steps above, you will become a licensed private investigator in Illinois. The police will act only if a judge issues a warrant. If a fugitive’s bail is $10,000, a bail bondsman may offer the bounty hunter between 10 and 20 percent of the bail amount, or $1,000 to $2,000, if the fugitive is successfully captured and brought to justice. With a population of over 39 million people, California is one of the states that allows the profession of bounty hunting (a.k.a., bail fugitive recovery) without licensing, but with some regulations for qualifications and training requirements. And finding the right course can be tough! States that don’t allow it will often have “bail runners” that are full time employees of the bond company… who perform the task. However, generally, private investigators are employed by private citizens and companies. However, you can gain relevant experience in other criminal justice fields, such as a law enforcement officer, security guard or private investigator. We know this is a bummer if you plan to work or live in these areas. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2015.2. Step 1. Bounty hunters have a keen knowledge of the law and are well trained in the use of weapons and physical combat. A number of other states (Nevada, Indiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, etc.) Visit […] There are several steps to becoming a private investigator in Illinois. A PD can work for an individual, a group of people, or an organization. If you're interested in becoming a bounty hunter, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. Some states, such as Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Oregon, do not have bail bond systems and do not allow bail enforcement agencies to arrest fugitives. Instead of paying a bail bondsman, bail is paid to the court. Yet, that doesn’t mean that becoming a bounty hunter is either a bad idea or impossible. When a bounty hunter takes a contract to find a fugitive, they are given the fugitive’s personal information … Pursuing dangerous criminals is no joke! Instructions. Due to the investigative nature of the job, a career as a process server can be similar to that of a private investigator or detective. Online Criminal Justice and Bounty Hunter … Because the state of Illinois requires previous investigative experience, you should get to know a few private detectives and other experienced professionals around town. California Bounty Hunter Guide: Requirements and Steps. Bill Clutter Investigations 1032 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704 http://www.clutterinvestigations.com, Courthouse Courier 3716 N Vermillion St Ste D5 Danville, IL 61832 http://www.courthousecourier.org, Heritage Investigations 123 W Madison St Ste 1700 Chicago, IL 60602 http://privateinvestigatorchicago.com/2012, Metro Detective Agency 917 N Walnut St Danville, IL 61832 http://www.illinoisprocess.com, On Q Protection & Investigation Services 2958 W Belmont Ave Chicago, IL 60618 http://www.onqpi.com, The Investigation Group, LLC 2333 N Seeley Chicago, IL 60647 http://www.chicago-private-detective.com, In Illinois, 850 private investigators or detectives are employed and they earn an average annual salary of $46,140.2 The Chicago-metropolitan area has the fourth largest employment for PDs in the nation (630).3 Projections show that jobs for private detectives in Illinois will increase by 11%, amounting to 50 new job openings per year.4, The Bureau of Labor Statistics only provided private investigator statistics for Chicago. Read more about becoming an Illinois private investigator. Call or visit the local police station, courthouse, or a bondsman to inquire about the proper licensure for your state. Consult your state laws. The exam costs $298. The application … Becoming a Professional Bounty Hunter. To become licensed, IDFPR requires that you have education and/or experience AND take the private detective written exam. We've determined that 35.1% of bounty hunters have a bachelor's degree. Part 1 of 3: Meeting the State Requirements . Because many bounty hunters eventually go on to pursue jobs in law enforcement, a d… As of 2017, there are only 4 of 50 United States that prohibit the practice of bounty hunting. Private investigators must apply for licensure, submit the supporting documents, and pay the $298 application fee (as of March 2016). Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field is purely voluntary, but can be very helpful in providing an understanding of the legal framework in which bounty hunters operate. Private investigators have very similar duties to that of law enforcement officers. The remaining 46 states allow individuals to be a bounty hunter as long as they meet the proper requirements. For bounty hunters, tracking and apprehending fugitives, bringing them to justice and collecting a bounty is all in a day’s work. 5 Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Bounty Hunting, Bounty Hunter Jobs and Career Description, Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), becoming an Illinois private investigator. Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in Illinois Some states require a license to become a Bounty Hunter. As of March 2016, the examination fee was $298. Education: You can apply for a license based on education. You can also work as an investigator for a public attorney’s office, a law enforcement agency or as a detective in another state. Continue reading below to understand the full process. Search for fugitive recovery, bounty hunter, or bail recovery in the keyword field to find available jobs in your area that match your training, experience, and unique qualifications. Illinois does not even permit out-of-state bounty hunters from pursuing fugitives that have entered the state. A bounty hunter is a professional person who captures fugitives or criminals for a commission or bounty.The occupation, officially known as bail agency enforcer, bail enforcement agent, bail agent, recovery agent, bail recovery agent, or fugitive recovery agent, has traditionally operated outside the legal constraints that govern police officers and other agents of the state. Bounty hunters have a keen knowledge of the law and are well trained in the use of weapons and physical combat. Before submitting your application to the IDFPR, you must meet the minimum requirements and determine if you will be applying based on experience or a combination of education and experience. How Do You Become One? Age: Private investigators in Illinois must be at least 21 years-old. Visit […] Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Oregon have restricted the use of bounty hunters within their borders. The practice of bounty hunting can be an exciting job with good pay (upwards of $100,000 a year for experienced bounty hunters), but learning how to become a bounty hunter … In Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Florida, and Wisconsin, bounty hunting is illegal. A 70-question exam and pass with a formal training program available through one these! Harboring fugitive in the use of weapons and physical combat History: Illinois investigators... Their targets a state that can be an agent endorsing a certified copy the! 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