California Domestic Violence Bail Bonds Agents VS Bounty Hunters

Although California domestic violence bail bonds agents and bounty hunters are different in many ways, you may have noticed they are often associated with each other. In fact, they often work very closely with one another. So, what’s the difference between the two? Would you ever need to call a bounty hunter? What about a bail bondsman? Before we delve into the difference between the two occupations and what it is they offer, it’s important to understand the circumstances in which both operate.

Why Would You Need a Bail Bondsman or Bounty Hunter?

When an individual is arrested, they are often detained in a jail cell until they’re scheduled to appear in court. Depending on the charges and law enforcement’s assessment of the individual, the person arrested can be released on their own recognizance, by paying a certain amount of money to the court, or by buying a bail bond. Bail is essentially collateral the court uses to ensure the defendant will show up to their upcoming court dates after being released. Small amounts of bail might be paid in cash to the court. For all other bails, a bail bondsman is helpful.

California domestic violence bail bonds agents

In some cases, posting bail can be expensive, depending on the charges. If the defendant cannot afford the bail amount, they can utilize the services of a bail bondsman. The bail bondsman, sometimes referred to as a “bail agent,” is a specialist that works with bail bond insurance companies and the courts to cover the bail amount. This allows the defendant to be released from custody, allowing them to return to their normal life as quickly as possible.

The bail bondsman charges a fee for fronting the full collateral for the defendant, who only has to pay a small percentage down payment instead of the entire bail amount. After the defendant has made all their court appearances, the court returns the collateral to the bail bond insurance company. The bail agent might also require a co-signature from a guarantor promising the defendant will show up on their court date and the bail amount will be paid back as planned.

Bounty Hunter

If the defendant does not show up on their scheduled court date, a bail bondsman might solicit the services of a bounty hunter, which is sometimes referred to as a “fugitive recovery agent” or “skip tracer.” The bounty hunters job is to help find the defendant and bring them to court. A bail agent can be on the hook for a lot of money if a defendant doesn’t appear in court, thus necessitating the relationship between California domestic violence bail bonds and bounty hunters.