Bounty hunter
A bounty hunter is an individual who seeks out escaped fugitives in return for a monetary award. Most are employed by a bail bondsman. In the United States, bounty hunters catch an estimated 30,000 bail jumpers per year. A more-common term for a bounty hunter - which is preferred by those in the industry - is a bail enforcement agent.In the United States, an 1872 U.S. Supreme Court case (Taylor v. Taintor) gives bounty hunters nearly limitless authority in their duties. Unlike a police officer, a bounty hunter can enter private property without a warrant. Bounty hunters do not undergo any formal training, and are generally unlicensed.
However, several states have placed additional restrictions on bounty hunters. In California, bounty hunters must undergo a background check and two weeks of training, and in Texas, they are prohibited from carrying firearms. Other states require bounty hunters to wear clothing identifying them as such.
Several bounty hunters have been arrested for killing a fugitive or apprehending the wrong person. Others, such as noted bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman, have been arrested for crossing into Mexico or Canada while pursuing a fugitive.