Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Country singer Randy Howard shot to death by bounty hunter.

What do you think about this? Are they legally right to go hunting people? Why isn't law Enforcement enough? Sheriffs usually deliver warrants. Not sure that was ever issued.

My thoughts are bounty hunters are just other citizens like me. Do they have special rights or privileges?
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainmen ... -1.2255215

Bounty hunters don't have the same restrictions placed on them that law enforcement does. People make money by bringing bail jumpers in so bondsmen don't lose the bail they put up. Bondsmen can call a bond in for any reason. Bounty hunters don't need arrest or search warrants. Being brought in is part of what the jumper signed in the first place when he took out the bond.

Bounty hunters serve a great purpose. They bring in many, if not most, of the jumpers. Police don't have time for most of them and only seek out those with arrest warrants needing immediate action (danger to the public, etc.).

In this particular case, it seems the bounty hunter was collecting, rather than hunting.

Not sure why the bounty hunter was needed, though. The guy was at home, so it seems that the police could have just as easily come for him.

On one hand, the guy should not have skipped court. Indeed, had he not done anything to require a trip to court, there would be no reason for a bounty hunter to be there.

On the other hand, if some random guy shows up to my house, with the intent of abducting me, then I may very well be inclined to open fire on him.

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Not a well written article, but it appears that he did jump bail. At least the news source did question the legality of hunting jumpers.

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wittmeba wrote: Are they legally right to go hunting people?

At a high level he shot at someone who was legaly invited into his home, the guy shot back, and Randy lost.

Why isn't law Enforcement enough? Sheriffs usually deliver warrants. Not sure that was ever issued.

This wasn't an issue of a warrant. Bail was revoked, the company with the financial interest was attempting to recover the jumper and return him to LE custody and get their bond money back.

My thoughts are bounty hunters are just other citizens like me. Do they have special rights or privileges?

Your thoughts are wrong. Depending on the state bond agents/bounty hunters have LOTS of rights that ordinary citizens and LEO's dont have. Including right of arrest/detainment searching/entering without a warrant, use of force, up to and including deadly force.

When you sign a bail contract, if you fail to appear, or violate your bond agreement, you basically turn on the "a deal with the devil" clause, and they can do damn near ANYTHING to catch you and return you to jail.

JD nailed it. Here is the code of VA for anyone who is interested.

https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp50 ... od+9.1-186

§ 9.1-186.12. Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations.

A. During the recovery of a bailee, a bail enforcement agent shall have a copy of the relevant recognizance for the bailee. He shall also have written authorization from the bailee's bondsman, obtained prior to effecting the capture. The Department shall develop the written authorization form to be used in such circumstances.

B. A bail enforcement agent shall not enter the residence of another without first verbally notifying the occupants who are present at the time of entry.

C. Absent exigent circumstances, a bail enforcement agent shall give prior notification of at least 24 hours to local law enforcement or state police of the intent to apprehend a bailee. In all cases, a bail enforcement agent shall inform local law enforcement within 60 minutes of capturing a bailee.

D. A bail enforcement agent shall not break any laws of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a bailee.

(2004, c. 397.)

Thanks all for your comments. I really didn't know this.

D. A bail enforcement agent shall not break any laws of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a bailee.

...any laws of the Commonwealth. << what does this really mean? Is there a separate set of laws for bailsmen for the Commonwealth?

wittmeba wrote:Thanks all for your comments. I really didn't know this.

D. A bail enforcement agent shall not break any laws of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a bailee.

...any laws of the Commonwealth. << what does this really mean? Is there a separate set of laws for bailsmen for the Commonwealth?

I don't think so. Just they must follow the laws like every one else. Keeping in mind he has every right to follow the contract he signed with the jumper allowing him into the house, etc.