Anthony Bridgestone
01-15-2001, 09:09 PM
REVISED FOR 2011
Texas Occupations Code chapter 1702.3863 & 3867 (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/consumer/bounty_hunter.htm)
Sec. 1702.3863. Unauthorized Contract With Bail Bond Surety; Offense.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person contracts with or is employed by a bail bond surety as defined by Chapter 1704 to secure the appearance of a person who has violated Section 38.10, Penal Code, unless the person is:
1.a peace officer;
2. an individual licensed as a private investigator or the manager or a licensed investigations company; or
3. a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony.
Sec. 1702.3867. Execution Of Capias Or Arrest Warrant; Offense.
(a) A private investigator executing a capias or an arrest warrant on behalf of a bail bond surety may not:
1. enter a residence without the consent of the occupants;
2. execute the capias or warrant without written authorization from the surety;
3. wear, carry, or display any uniform, badge, shield, or other insignia or emblem that implies that the private investigator is an employee, officer, or agent of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state; or
4. notwithstanding Section 9.51, Penal Code, use deadly force.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) (3), a private investigator may display identification that indicates that the person is acting on behalf of a bail bond surety.
(c) A private investigator executing a capias or an arrest warrant on behalf of a bail bond surety shall immediately take the person arrested to:
1. if the arrest is made in the county in which the capias or warrant was issued:
A. the county jail for that county if:
i. the offense is a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or a felony; or
ii. the offense is a Class C misdemeanor and the capias or warrant was issued by a magistrate of that county; or
B. the municipal jail for the appropriate municipality if the offense is a Class C misdemeanor and the capias or warrant was issued by a magistrate of the municipality; or
2.if the arrest is made in a county other than the county in which the capias or warrant was issued, the county jail for the county in which the arrest is made.
(d) A person commits an offense if the person violates this section. An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
<HR>
INTERPRETATION:
For most bounty hunters, you should be an employee of a licensed Texas Private Investigative Agency, and you need to have the agency acquire a Personal Protection Commission Card, which is issued as a Commissioned Security Guard license.
The PI Agency then contracts with the bailbonds agency to hunt and return the person to custody. (A bailbonds agency employee cannot be a bounty hunter without having an employee card from a PI Agency with the Personal Protection Card)
SOLUTION:
Request the International Private Investigators Union (IPIU) to obtain a sponsor for your own PI Agency License (which will save you 2-3 years of waiting for your own experience and allow a Qualified Manager to enter into a sponsor agreement with you), and obtain preapproval within 4-5 weeks through the IPIU process.
Requirements for sponsor:
Further Details: Click Here (http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?30903-What-is-the-Colorado-PI-Agency-Corporation-License-Operate-my-agency-out-of-state) or call 406-534-0251
Become a Lifetime Corporate Member (http://www.privateinvestigator.cc/product_info.php?cPath=67&products_id=998)
Obtain a headquarter PI Agency Corporation License (http://www.privateinvestigator.cc/product_info.php?cPath=163&products_id=1584)
Additional Texas fees apply.
<hr>
Bounty Hunting in Texas is governed by a strict set of rules as to who can be contracted to detain criminals. Bounty Hunting jobs are thus limited by state law to individuals licensed as private investigators or the manager of a licensed investigations company, or a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company, or peace officers.
In order to become a Bounty Hunter in Texas it is therefore necessary to receive training and licensing in one of the above fields. This can be achieved by either OBTAINING A SPONSOR (through the International Private Investigators Union) or through taking courses offered by 100% online criminal justice institutions. If a person is not licensed in any of the occupations above and contracts with a bail bond company it is a punishable offense. Therefore, Bounty Hunter training and education or a SPONSOR is absolutely necessary.
Bounty Hunters in Texas must follow a number of strict rules and regulations. For instance, they may not present themselves as a law enforcement agent connected to the government while Bounty Hunting. This is a serious offense and considered a criminal act. Bounty Hunters also may not enter a residence without consent and must take criminals directly to the appropriate jail once they have been captured.
How to Become a Bounty Hunter in Texas
Becoming a Bounty Hunter in Texas can be achieved by either OBTAINING A SPONSOR (through IPIU) or through formal training and courses offered by colleges and agencies statewide. To become a Bounty Hunter in Texas you first must be licensed as a private investigator, a commissioned security officer (thru a PI Agency), or a peace officer. This can be achieved by either obtaining a SPONSOR or by taking courses organized by the police force, other state agencies, or colleges. Quite often it is necessary to take some college courses before you can enroll in law enforcement programs through the state. If you choose to become a security officer or private investigator there are also specific courses and licenses that are required.
Once you are licensed it helps to register with organizations such as the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators in order to maintain contact with fellow Bounty Hunters and law enforcement professionals. This may help you maintain contacts with bail bond agencies in the state looking for licensed Bounty Hunters to return criminals that have skipped bond.
Texas Bounty Hunter Licenses and Requirements
To become a Bounty Hunter in Texas you must either OBTAIN A SPONSOR or be licensed as a peace officer, a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company, or a private investigator or manager of a private investigation firm.
Texas peace officer licenses are issue through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement, which requires that you meet minimum requirements and training such as the Basic Peace Officer Certification course. The formal education to become a licensed peace officer can be achieved at local colleges as many agencies require a certain amount of college credits or even an associate’s degree to be considered for employment and licensing as a peace officer. A peace officer can be anything from a municipal or state police officer to an agent of state enforcment agencies such as the Texas Lottery Commission or even campus police while also working as a Bounty Hunter.
To become a commissioned security officer in Texas training is required in the form of a standardized 30 hour training course from a security officer training school approved by the Private Security Bureau of Texas. Commissioned security officers generally work for a licensed private investigative agencies.
To become a private investigator you must either obtain a sponsor (through IPIU) or pass the state licensing exam, which can be prepared for through formal training and courses. Private investigators are usually employed by a private investigation company on a contract basis. The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators is dedicated to “professionalism in the field of private investigations through continuing education, public awareness, advanced certification, networking and legislative involvement,” and can help you become a licensed investigator working as a Bounty Hunter in Texas.
In addition to licensing through courses and training, Bounty Hunters in Texas must follow strict uniform requirements. For instance, you may not display a badge that contains the word “law enforcement” and agent in a way that suggests the Bounty Hunter is connected in any way to the government.
While this may seem like a lot of restrictions it is in the best interest of public safety that Bounty Hunters in Texas are educated and licensed through formal training and courses to ensure that they follow safe practices in fugitive recovery.
Texas Occupations Code chapter 1702.3863 & 3867 (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/consumer/bounty_hunter.htm)
Sec. 1702.3863. Unauthorized Contract With Bail Bond Surety; Offense.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person contracts with or is employed by a bail bond surety as defined by Chapter 1704 to secure the appearance of a person who has violated Section 38.10, Penal Code, unless the person is:
1.a peace officer;
2. an individual licensed as a private investigator or the manager or a licensed investigations company; or
3. a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony.
Sec. 1702.3867. Execution Of Capias Or Arrest Warrant; Offense.
(a) A private investigator executing a capias or an arrest warrant on behalf of a bail bond surety may not:
1. enter a residence without the consent of the occupants;
2. execute the capias or warrant without written authorization from the surety;
3. wear, carry, or display any uniform, badge, shield, or other insignia or emblem that implies that the private investigator is an employee, officer, or agent of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state; or
4. notwithstanding Section 9.51, Penal Code, use deadly force.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) (3), a private investigator may display identification that indicates that the person is acting on behalf of a bail bond surety.
(c) A private investigator executing a capias or an arrest warrant on behalf of a bail bond surety shall immediately take the person arrested to:
1. if the arrest is made in the county in which the capias or warrant was issued:
A. the county jail for that county if:
i. the offense is a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or a felony; or
ii. the offense is a Class C misdemeanor and the capias or warrant was issued by a magistrate of that county; or
B. the municipal jail for the appropriate municipality if the offense is a Class C misdemeanor and the capias or warrant was issued by a magistrate of the municipality; or
2.if the arrest is made in a county other than the county in which the capias or warrant was issued, the county jail for the county in which the arrest is made.
(d) A person commits an offense if the person violates this section. An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
<HR>
INTERPRETATION:
For most bounty hunters, you should be an employee of a licensed Texas Private Investigative Agency, and you need to have the agency acquire a Personal Protection Commission Card, which is issued as a Commissioned Security Guard license.
The PI Agency then contracts with the bailbonds agency to hunt and return the person to custody. (A bailbonds agency employee cannot be a bounty hunter without having an employee card from a PI Agency with the Personal Protection Card)
SOLUTION:
Request the International Private Investigators Union (IPIU) to obtain a sponsor for your own PI Agency License (which will save you 2-3 years of waiting for your own experience and allow a Qualified Manager to enter into a sponsor agreement with you), and obtain preapproval within 4-5 weeks through the IPIU process.
Requirements for sponsor:
Further Details: Click Here (http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?30903-What-is-the-Colorado-PI-Agency-Corporation-License-Operate-my-agency-out-of-state) or call 406-534-0251
Become a Lifetime Corporate Member (http://www.privateinvestigator.cc/product_info.php?cPath=67&products_id=998)
Obtain a headquarter PI Agency Corporation License (http://www.privateinvestigator.cc/product_info.php?cPath=163&products_id=1584)
Additional Texas fees apply.
<hr>
Bounty Hunting in Texas is governed by a strict set of rules as to who can be contracted to detain criminals. Bounty Hunting jobs are thus limited by state law to individuals licensed as private investigators or the manager of a licensed investigations company, or a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company, or peace officers.
In order to become a Bounty Hunter in Texas it is therefore necessary to receive training and licensing in one of the above fields. This can be achieved by either OBTAINING A SPONSOR (through the International Private Investigators Union) or through taking courses offered by 100% online criminal justice institutions. If a person is not licensed in any of the occupations above and contracts with a bail bond company it is a punishable offense. Therefore, Bounty Hunter training and education or a SPONSOR is absolutely necessary.
Bounty Hunters in Texas must follow a number of strict rules and regulations. For instance, they may not present themselves as a law enforcement agent connected to the government while Bounty Hunting. This is a serious offense and considered a criminal act. Bounty Hunters also may not enter a residence without consent and must take criminals directly to the appropriate jail once they have been captured.
How to Become a Bounty Hunter in Texas
Becoming a Bounty Hunter in Texas can be achieved by either OBTAINING A SPONSOR (through IPIU) or through formal training and courses offered by colleges and agencies statewide. To become a Bounty Hunter in Texas you first must be licensed as a private investigator, a commissioned security officer (thru a PI Agency), or a peace officer. This can be achieved by either obtaining a SPONSOR or by taking courses organized by the police force, other state agencies, or colleges. Quite often it is necessary to take some college courses before you can enroll in law enforcement programs through the state. If you choose to become a security officer or private investigator there are also specific courses and licenses that are required.
Once you are licensed it helps to register with organizations such as the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators in order to maintain contact with fellow Bounty Hunters and law enforcement professionals. This may help you maintain contacts with bail bond agencies in the state looking for licensed Bounty Hunters to return criminals that have skipped bond.
Texas Bounty Hunter Licenses and Requirements
To become a Bounty Hunter in Texas you must either OBTAIN A SPONSOR or be licensed as a peace officer, a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company, or a private investigator or manager of a private investigation firm.
Texas peace officer licenses are issue through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement, which requires that you meet minimum requirements and training such as the Basic Peace Officer Certification course. The formal education to become a licensed peace officer can be achieved at local colleges as many agencies require a certain amount of college credits or even an associate’s degree to be considered for employment and licensing as a peace officer. A peace officer can be anything from a municipal or state police officer to an agent of state enforcment agencies such as the Texas Lottery Commission or even campus police while also working as a Bounty Hunter.
To become a commissioned security officer in Texas training is required in the form of a standardized 30 hour training course from a security officer training school approved by the Private Security Bureau of Texas. Commissioned security officers generally work for a licensed private investigative agencies.
To become a private investigator you must either obtain a sponsor (through IPIU) or pass the state licensing exam, which can be prepared for through formal training and courses. Private investigators are usually employed by a private investigation company on a contract basis. The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators is dedicated to “professionalism in the field of private investigations through continuing education, public awareness, advanced certification, networking and legislative involvement,” and can help you become a licensed investigator working as a Bounty Hunter in Texas.
In addition to licensing through courses and training, Bounty Hunters in Texas must follow strict uniform requirements. For instance, you may not display a badge that contains the word “law enforcement” and agent in a way that suggests the Bounty Hunter is connected in any way to the government.
While this may seem like a lot of restrictions it is in the best interest of public safety that Bounty Hunters in Texas are educated and licensed through formal training and courses to ensure that they follow safe practices in fugitive recovery.