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ASK A BOUNTY HUNTER!

(Author's note: this column was supposed to be the first in a series. For a continuation of this column and varied subject matter on bounty hunting, see www.mysupplementstore.com ).

Some people call them Bounty Hunters. It's because of the TV shows that follow them around. But what they really are called are Bail Bond Recovery Agents or a Bail Enforcement Agents. Whatever you call them, the point is that they arrest people for money. But this article is not about them as much as it is about you- for you to have a place to get your questions answered. It is my hope that you will find the information informative, entertaining and interactive. Questions pop up all the time about who bounty hunters are, what they do, how they do it and how much they get.

BEAs are not law enforcement officers, but enforcers of a civil contract between a person accused of a crime and a bail bondsman. Their power comes from a Federal ruling known as "Taylor v Taintor". If a person out on bail runs away (skips) and has to be brought back, the bail bondsman will often use a BEA to find the fugitive.

There's a lot of misinformation about who BEAs are and what they can do. BEAs have to be fit, smart and professional. They have to be able to read people, talk people into handcuffs without kicking the snot out of them (of course, they are not above that if a person forces a situation), sleep at any hour, not sleep at any hour, work phones, computers and fax machines, drive for long hours, sit for long hours, handle weapons (like TASERs, pepper spray, police batons, and yes, handguns), and understand the proper application of those weapons.

People ask questions all the time about the work, so this column has been developed so you can get those questions answered. Some of the answers, you may be expecting. Some of the answers may completely blow you out of the water. But rest assured, the answers will be honest, and as complete as is possible. Don't ask about trade secrets (how do BEAs find the people?), or ask goofball scenarios like "If a guy had a BEA down and a gun at his head, would the BEA's partner drop his weapon?" because professionals wouldn't let themselves get into that kind of a situation. As long as the questions are sincere and thought out, it will get answered. Let's get to two questions right now.

1)HOW MUCH DO BOUNTY HUNTERS MAKE?

A BEA can make $10,000 to $60,000 a year. That may not be a bunch of money in California, but it's pretty good scratch in South

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