Can a bounty hunter pull you over?
If you’re curious about what a bounty hunter can or cannot do, then you might be wondering, “Can a bounty hunter pull you over?”
Unfortunately, there isn’t really a clear-cut answer to this question. This being said, let’s break down what a bounty hunter can do and if it’s legal for a bounty hunter to pull over someone who has skipped bail.
What can a bounty hunter legally do?
At the end of the day, a bounty hunter is restricted by the state they’re licensed in and what state they’re currently bounty hunting in. (And keep in mind — bounty hunters are not police officers.)
For example, the individual might be licensed in Ohio, but in Kentucky, no one is allowed to bounty hunt. As another example, the individual may be licensed in Ohio, but Michigan doesn’t require licenses or training — which means that person is free to bounty hunt across state lines.
This being said, depending on what state the bounty hunter is licensed in will determine what they are and are not allowed to do and whether or not they have any restrictions to adhere to. They have to follow all applicable state laws.
In most instances, bounty hunters can enter someone’s residence, handcuff the person who jumped bail, and take them to the proper authorities. However, they typically are required to have the proper licenses and insurance to do so.
On top of this, bounty hunters cannot use excessive force to detain someone and they must abide by all state laws. While they have similar authority as a police officer, they are not police officers.
Keep Reading: What happens if you fail to appear in court
Can a bounty hunter pull you over?
It’s important to recognize that it’s illegal to impersonate law enforcement. Therefore, if a bounty hunter poses as a police officer in an effort to pull someone over, then this is considered illegal. However, if the bounty hunter simply finds some way to get that person to pull over of their own free will and then detains that person afterwards, then this is completely acceptable.
So to answer the question, “Can a bounty hunter pull you over?” — sure, they certainly can. But do you have to pull over? Not unless there’s a police officer with them.
Need more information about bounty hunters and bail bonds?
At Cowboy Bail Bonds, we have decades of experience helping residents all across Kern County post bail fast, and we’ve developed resources to help our community understand bail bonds better.
Take a look at our additional bail bond resources and reach out to us with any questions: