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State | Bounty Hunting Legality | License Required | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Alabama | Legal | No | |
![]() | Alaska | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Arizona | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Arkansas | Legal | Yes | Only licensed professional bail bondsmen and their authorized agents are allowed to engage in bounty hunting. |
![]() | California | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Colorado | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Connecticut | Legal | Yes | Bounty hunting is legal in Connecticut, but there are restrictions and regulations surrounding the practice. According to Connecticut state law, a bail enforcement agent (bounty hunter) must be employed by a Connecticut licensed bail bond agent or surety bail bond agent. |
![]() | Delaware | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | District of Columbia | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Florida | Legal | Bail Agent | Under current Florida statutes, bounty hunters, or runners as they are known in Florida, are required to be licensed as bail agents. Without a bail agent license, bounty hunting is now strictly prohibited in the state. |
![]() | Georgia | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | Georgia allows the practice of bounty hunting but does not use the term “bounty hunter” in its statutes. Instead, those employed in the capacity of fugitive recovery are known in the state as bail recovery agents. |
![]() | Hawaii | Legal | Yes | Hawaii allows the practice of bounty hunting and has few laws regulating bounty hunters, also known as bail enforcement agents. |
![]() | Idaho | Legal | No | |
![]() | Illinois | Illegal | ||
![]() | Indiana | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | |
![]() | Iowa | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Kansas | Legal | No | |
![]() | Kentucky | Illegal | ||
![]() | Louisiana | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | |
![]() | Maine | Legal | No | |
![]() | Maryland | Legal | No | |
![]() | Massachusetts | Legal | No | |
![]() | Michigan | Legal | No | |
![]() | Minnesota | Legal | No | |
![]() | Mississippi | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | |
![]() | Missouri | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Montana | Legal | No | |
![]() | Nebraska | Legal | No | |
![]() | Nevada | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | The state allows bail enforcement but prohibits the use of the word “bounty hunter.” Bail enforcement agents in Nevada must be licensed by the Nevada Division of Insurance (DOI). Bail enforcement agents work for bail bondsmen to locate and return defendants who have skipped bail. |
![]() | New Hampshire | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | New Jersey | Legal | No | |
![]() | New Mexico | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | New York | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | North Carolina | Illegal | Bail Bonding | Bounty hunting in itself is not legal in North Carolina. In order to preform or engage in duties related to the recovery of fugitives or other bail bonding activities, individuals must obtain a bail bonding license, issued by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. |
![]() | North Dakota | Legal | No | |
![]() | Ohio | Legal | No | Since 2001, bounty hunting in the state of Ohio has been explicitly regulated by state law. As such, only a law enforcement officer or a qualified, licensed and appointed surety bail bond agent are authorized to arrest fugitives in the state. |
![]() | Oklahoma | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Oregon | Illegal | ||
![]() | Pennsylvania | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | Rhode Island | Legal | No | |
![]() | South Carolina | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | South Dakota | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | |
![]() | Tennessee | Legal | Yes | Bounty hunters in Tennessee must be employed by and work as agents of a professional bondsmen to find and return defendants who have “skipped” bail. |
![]() | Texas | Illegal | Bounty hunters are not allowed to work as such in Texas, those interested in working to apprehend fugitives (or “skips”) may wish to become private investigators. Private investigators must be at least 18 years of age. | |
![]() | Utah | Legal | No | |
![]() | Vermont | Legal | No | |
![]() | Virginia | Legal | No | |
![]() | Washington | Legal | Yes | |
![]() | West Virginia | Legal | Bail Recovery Agent | |
![]() | Wisconsin | Illegal | ||
![]() | Wyoming | Legal | No |
Bounty hunting, a profession often glamorized in movies and television shows, is a legal endeavor in many states across the United States. In states like Alaska, Arizona, and California, bounty hunting is not only legal but also widely practiced. Bounty hunters, also known as bail recovery agents or bail enforcement agents, play a crucial role in apprehending fugitives who have skipped bail. These states have regulations in place to govern the activities of bounty hunters, ensuring accountability and adherence to the law.
However, the legality of bounty hunting varies from state to state. In states like Illinois, Maine, and Massachusetts, bounty hunting is illegal. Individuals operating as bounty hunters in these states could face legal consequences for their actions. The laws surrounding bounty hunting often reflect the unique legal landscape and cultural attitudes toward law enforcement in each state.
One common requirement for prospective bounty hunters is that they must be at least 18 or 21 years old, depending on the state. Additionally, some states may require individuals to undergo specific training or obtain a license before they can work as bounty hunters. These requirements aim to ensure that bounty hunters operate with professionalism and accountability while carrying out their duties.
The legal status of bounty hunting varies significantly from state to state in the United States. While some states fully embrace the practice, others prohibit it altogether. Understanding the laws and regulations surrounding bounty hunting is essential for anyone considering entering this challenging yet potentially rewarding profession.