Bounty hunter

A bounty hunter (sometimes called a bounty killer) is a person who captures fugitives and criminals for a monetary reward (bounty). The occupation, also known as bail enforcement agent, bail agent, recovery agent, bail recovery agent, or fugitive recovery agent, has historically existed in many parts of the world, however today it is found almost exclusively in the United States and the Philippines, its former commonwealth, as the practice is illegal under the laws of most other countries.

In 1872, the Supreme Court ruled that bounty hunters were a part of the U.S. law enforcement system with a decision in Taylor v. Taintor:

When the bail is given, the principal is regarded as delivered to the custody of his sureties. Their domain is a continuance of the original imprisonment. Whenever they choose to do so, they may seize him and deliver him up to his discharge; and if it cannot be done at once, they may imprison him until it can be done. They may exercise their rights in person or by agent. They may pursue him into another state; may arrest him on the Sabbath; and if necessary, may break and enter his house for that purpose. The seizure is not made by virtue of due process. None is needed. It is likened to the arrest by the Sheriff of an escaped prisoner.

In modern times, bounty hunters are known as Bail Enforcement Agents (bail bondsman) and carry out arrests mostly for those who have skipped bail. The term 'bounty hunting' is now not often used or liked by many in the profession due to its historical context.

Bounty hunters are sometimes misleadingly called "skiptracers", where skiptracing generally refers to the process of searching for an individual through less direct methods than active pursuit and apprehension, such as spies or debt collectors. While bounty hunters may be skiptracers as well, bounty hunting is a civil matter and does not always imply criminal conduct on the part of the individual being traced.

When undertaking arrest warrants, agents may wear bullet-resistant vests, badges and other clothing branded with "BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENT", or similar titles. Many agents also use two-way radios to communicate with each other. Many agents arm themselves with firearms, or, sometimes, with less lethal weapons, such as tasers,batons, CS/pepper spray and pepper-spray projectiles.

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Wikipedia