Given that reality TV has found its way into American homes, shows like "pet dog The Bounty Seeker," And National Geographic "Bounty Hunter" It has already filled the living rooms with solid characters, vibrant stories, and scenes of smashing doors and trying to escape. Pet the Bounty Seeker has become a household name. However, while these shows produce good entertainment, they hardly reveal anything like life to a real man. While bail adjusters grab the bail skipper every day, dramatic struggles like the ones revealed on TV are few and far between. However, catching unpredictable fugitives must be a dangerous business, and bail guarantors must take the correct safety measures.
When the defendant is arrested and unable to pay the amount of bail set by the judge, he or she usually contacts the bail guarantor. After agreeing on the guarantees and signing the papers, the surety guarantor submits the amount of the bail and the defendant comes out for free. The guarantor then ensures that the defendant appears in court. Most of the time, everything goes as planned; However, there are also times when the defendant skips the bail hearings, and the bail guarantor must arrest the "skips" and return him to prison. Although these encounters are not usually violent, some bail officers do carry weapons as an extra precaution.
A common question for experienced bail couriers is whether to become a guarantor who will guarantee you to carry a gun. What many people don’t realize is that bail officers are subject to the same rules and regulations as ordinary citizens. They are not allowed to carry a gun unless they have an appropriate license issued by the state in which they live. Bail guarantors are required to take courses specific to the firearms they will carry, and the courses must be administered by organizations approved by the Department of Criminal Investigation and Technical Services.
Guidelines and laws regarding guns vary from state to state. For this reason, it is essential for anyone who wants to become an agent to be familiar with the affirmative policies of the state in which they live, including the rules regarding brandishing and shooting weapons in public. Although men are allowed to carry guns and allowed to arrest suspects, they still have to comply with the same gun laws that routine citizens are expected to follow.
In addition to passing certifications and training to carry a gun, bail officers must pass criminal background checks. If they have previous convictions, they are not allowed to carry a gun. Recently, a bail guarantor was arrested in Maryland for possession of a .38-caliber handgun. Due to a previous conviction for theft, he was forbidden to carry a handgun.
The slave must recognize not only laws relating to weapons, but also laws relating to the arrest and detention of suspects. If a bail guarantor uses excessive, unnecessary force when arresting the defendant, or arrests the wrong person, he faces potential lawsuits and even criminal charges. Although there are several circumstances, there are times when bail couriers face harm "skips" who do not wish to be arrested. In such scenarios, when the bail officer’s life is at stake, the question arises: When is it a good idea for the bail officer to fire a defensive weapon?
In 2008, four bond agents confronted a Washington man who was not released on bail on several pending criminal charges. The suspect put his car in a customer and the agent shot the man, fearing for his life. In a separate incident in 2012, two California bail officers were killed on the receiving end of the fatal shot while trying to arrest a defendant who skipped bail for drug possession. The surety guarantor must be prepared for anything. They know that backup is essential, that even one violent incident accompanied by a skip can be too much.
David Viel, a 10-year bond veteran, says that although he does carry a gun, he never has to use it, because in most cases, the suspect surrenders. So while real bail courier jobs aren’t the drama that gets shown on reality TV, a bail officer job can be dangerous and unpredictable. That is why some choose to bear arms. However, the surety guarantor knows that they are subject to the same gun laws as ordinary citizens. For this reason, they are required to undergo firearms training before becoming a bail guarantor, and they are responsible for the way they use their weapons.