Although bail bonds in Los Angeles are a convenient and reliable process that have helped millions of defendants find their way out of jail pending a court appearance, the system itself doesn’t come without risk. A majority of defendants are simply looking for the best way to avoid spending time behind bars, and wouldn’t dream of going on the run, putting both their personal freedom and their loved ones’ valuable property at risk. However, in some situations, an accused individual decides to flee rather than return to court to face the charges against him.
When an individual posts bail, the purpose of doing so is to ensure that he stays in the area, and plans on showing up for his court appearances or trial. In order to make the system work, either the defendant or his loved ones post collateral in the form of either cash or valuable property to guarantee his appearance. In the event that defendant misses his court date, the bail bondsman is left on the hook for the entire bond amount, and must find ways to legally recoup his losses. In addition to a warrant being issued for the fugitive, the money or property put up as collateral is typically seized. However, in the event that the bondsman is still left paying on the bond amount, he may choose to enlist the help of a fugitive recovery specialist, more commonly called a bounty hunter.
The United States is one of only two countries in the world that legally condones the activity of bounty hunting, or capturing fugitives in exchange for monetary gain. Although there are different rules and codes of ethics governing bounty hunting, which vary on a state-by-state basis, bounty hunters come from a variety of backgrounds and use only legal tactics and techniques to locate fugitives on the run.
One of the more famous American bounty hunters is Duane Chapman, also known as “Dog.” Chapman has a popular reality television series called “Dog, The Bounty Hunter,” which chronicles the adventures of Chapman and his family as they attempt to take down often high-profile fugitives. Although a reality television show, Chapman gained notoriety in the early 2000’s for his role in helping to capture Andrew Luster, the heir to the Max Factor fortune. Luster was facing charges of rape and sexual misconduct when he fled his home, and was later located by Chapman and a team of bounty hunters in Mexico.
While most bounty hunters spend their time capturing less high-profile fugitives that have missed their court appearances and left others holding the monetary bag, occasionally they are essential in helping to capture one of America’s most wanted criminals. Leonard Padilla, based in Sacramento, California, has worked as a bounty hunter since 1975. His successful track record in capturing wanted individuals has landed him a show on the National Geographic channel, and he has also appeared on CNN as an expert in the Casey Anthony murder trial.
For those who seek bail bonds in Los Angeles, bounty hunters are a huge asset, helping to keep the cost of bail bonds affordable, and the integrity of the system intact. Although hardly a glamorous or well-reputed job - many bounty hunters are accused of being criminals, drug addicts, and overtly violently individuals themselves - for many, the bounty hunter is a saving grace. Capture of fugitives on the run from justice not only makes America’s cities and towns safer places to live, it helps ensure that the system of bail bonds remains a viable option for those accused of a crime. For the successful bail bondsman, it provides an invaluable safety net when a defendant decides to go on the run, knowing that America’s bounty hunters provide safe and legal options for recouping otherwise extreme losses.
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