Bounty Hunters (Civilian Bail Bond Recovery Agents)?

[smokeythebear06]

I work with a guy who is a Fugitive Recovery Agent (at his other job). This individual believes that as long as he wears his fugitive recover vest and badge, that he is exempt from traffic laws. He feels that if he is chasing somebody (or says he is chasing somebody) that the police are not allowed to stop him. I have looked in the CA vehicle code and have not found any code that states that a civilian fugitive recovery agent are exempt from any traffic laws. I just wanted to confirm that this is not true.
This man also wears his vest with an exposed firearm, baton, and mags for no reason at all. I was under the impression that civilian exposed firearm and baton permits allows them to be worn while working, not just because he wants to look "cool" or "get ladies" (which is two reasons I have been told this man wears them). I just wanted to know if he is committing a crime by wearing this stuff while not working.

As always thank you for taking your time to read my post and answer my question.

[Citicop]

I am aware of nowhere in the United States that gives any exception to Bounty Hunters in the traffic law.

Trust me, he can be stopped by the police for violating traffic laws.

Also, there is no exception in my state for Bounty Hunters carrying weapons. So if it's legal for YOU to carry a gun/baton exposed, it is also legal for him to do that. If you can't, then neither can he. At least in my state.

Someone with more info about CA law will be along shortly, I'm sure.

[Kimble]

While there may be exceptions to the rule, most bounty hunters I've had contact with on the job were uneducated, untrained, and unprofessional goofballs that could not get hired into law enforcement due to criminal histories. Not knowing your coworker I can't speak to his past, but if he's making outlandish claims like that he sounds like a goofball himself (ask him to show you where in state statute he is exempt from traffic laws, I can show you where It says under certsin circumstances i am but I'd bet he has nothing official to back his claim).

I can only speak specifics to the laws in AL and VA where I've been a cop, but I'm certain (like Citicop) that no U.S. state recognizes bounty hunters as emergency responders exempt of traffic laws.

[limeade]

Can't be stopped? Good luck with that...the only other exception I've heard of in Texas is a doctor's ability to speed to the hospital during a emergency, even then I'm not sure if that is still used.

[retdetsgt]

Nobody in Oregon has the right to disobey traffic laws except police, fire and ambulance vehicles running with prescribed lights and sirens.

[Samuel]

Your buddy is so far out there it isn't even funny! But let's not tell him - let's make it a surprise...

[smokeythebear06]

I am aware of nowhere in the United States that gives any exception to Bounty Hunters in the traffic law.

Trust me, he can be stopped by the police for violating traffic laws.

Also, there is no exception in my state for Bounty Hunters carrying weapons. So if it's legal for YOU to carry a gun/baton exposed, it is also legal for him to do that. If you can't, then neither can he. At least in my state.

Someone with more info about CA law will be along shortly, I'm sure.

Thank you for the quick reply. That definitely helps confirm what I was thinking.

[smokeythebear06]

While there may be exceptions to the rule, most bounty hunters I've had contact with on the job were uneducated, untrained, and unprofessional goofballs that could not get hired into law enforcement due to criminal histories. Not knowing your coworker I can't speak to his past, but if he's making outlandish claims like that he sounds like a goofball himself (ask him to show you where in state statute he is exempt from traffic laws, I can show you where It says under certsin circumstances i am but I'd bet he has nothing official to back his claim).

I can only speak specifics to the laws in AL and VA where I've been a cop, but I'm certain (like Citicop) that no U.S. state recognizes bounty hunters as emergency responders exempt of traffic laws.

Yea, and unfortunately alot of security guards and loss prevention I've worked with are the same.

[smokeythebear06]

Your buddy is so far out there it isn't even funny! But let's not tell him - let's make it a surprise...

Wouldn't call this guy a buddy. I work my 8 hours with him and go home. I've had police officers show up for work related stuff and shake my hand and say "good luck working with that guy". His. fugitive recovery stuff does magically disappear when the police show up though.

[CPL1897]

Your buddy is so far out there it isn't even funny! But let's not tell him - let's make it a surprise...

Ditto...Just a matter of time until he is given a nice wak up call...If I have to conceal my gun and badge when running around then what gives a "wannabe" the right to do it..Not that I would want EVERYONE to know what I am anyways. Ive never understood folks who want to "advertise" themselves (mainly LEOs).

You would never guess that I am a LEO until its too late....lol

Maybe I should order a "Fugitive Recovery" badge of the net and walk around to try to pick up chicks too....

[marinepilot]

Maybe I should order a "Fugitive Recovery" badge of the net and walk around to try to pick up chicks too....

You do remember your 42.5 is also a member of the forums, right??

[TEXASCOP]

Can't be stopped? Good luck with that...the only other exception I've heard of in Texas is a doctor's ability to speed to the hospital during a emergency, even then I'm not sure if that is still used.

That's sorta true, but it only pertains to the speed limit while the doctor is driving in a municipality. They are still required to obey the rest of the traffic code.

[retdetsgt]

That's sorta true, but it only pertains to the speed limit while the doctor is driving in a municipality. They are still required to obey the rest of the traffic code.

I don't know of any hospitals in Oregon that don't have an least one doctor n duty 24-7. I do know that some small ones in Texas don't though. In the town I was born in and my parents retired to, if there is an emergency after hours, they have to call one of the two doctors in town to get there. Last I knew though, both lived about 6 blocks away from the hospital.

[CPL1897]

You do remember your 42.5 is also a member of the forums, right??

LOL..Yeah but fortunately for me, she is not as devoted to RP as we are!