I am a State of Michigan licensed professional investigator which was previously employed by the Michigan Department of Corrections in their Absconder Unit. I now do Fugitive Recovery assignments as well as standard investigations for clients. The only thing that I would add to what you’ve explained would be this; For the average action junky who thinks that he or she can just go look for skips because they are mezzmerized by DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER let me set the record straight. The fugitive recovery business although unlicensed according to the constitutional decision given in TAYLOR VS. TAINTOR is still a business full of dangerous situations, and all of these situations are not physically dangerous. False imprisonment, kidnapping, unlawfull use of force and others like illegal entry, harrassment, and so on will still get you locked up yourself. At which time you will need a bailbondsman for more than a job. So being under an experienced bail professional, ex-cop, or licensed investigator is very desirable if your serious in this business. GOOD HUNTING!

The new well its no where new House Bill Being pushed has been being pushed for Decades they have changed it many a time and they have not approved it like you said. Do to money problems? I think they could charge enough to make a little money. Just look at a price tag on getting an agency license for professional investigator. They have to do something. Thats a Fact. It is a very trust oriented position to just have. Very dangerous to the community and the defendents/ Fugitives being sought after.

Other problems including the exam, The exam to be a licensed Surety agent in Michigan has not one question about even writing a bail bond. Not one question about laws of the bonding business. Im telling you the last thing you want is a bunch of pencil pushers writing bonds at any jail when they dont even know how to read the person they are bonding out. Or the cosigners they are writing the bond for. There is a lot of that going on. Then someone like me has to waste my time chassing them down. Just because they wanted to make there 2% on a bond. Non Liable Agents in Michigan have no recoarse. They could write a million dollares worth of bonds not care what happens. That is completly on fare to the agency.

The new well its no where new House Bill Being pushed has been being pushed for Decades they have changed it many a time and they have not approved it like you said. Do to money problems? I think they could charge enough to make a little money. Just look at a price tag on getting an agency license for professional investigator. They have to do something. Thats a Fact. It is a very trust oriented position to just have. Very dangerous to the community and the defendents/ Fugitives being sought after.

Other problems including the exam, The exam to be a licensed Surety agent in Michigan has not one question about even writing a bail bond. Not one question about laws of the bonding business. Im telling you the last thing you want is a bunch of pencil pushers writing bonds at any jail when they dont even know how to read the person they are bonding out. Or the cosigners they are writing the bond for. There is a lot of that going on. Then someone like me has to waste my time chassing them down. Just because they wanted to make there 2% on a bond. Non Liable Agents in Michigan have no recoarse. They could write a million dollares worth of bonds not care what happens. That is completly on fare to the agency.

Apparently you missed a key portion of my posting; it is a crime in the State of Michigan to utilize the term “Fugitive Recovery Agent” under the Law Enforcement Identification Act ~ MCL 750.216b (3)

As used in this section, “law enforcement identification” means any identification that contains the words “law enforcement” or similar words, including, but not limited to, “agent”, “enforcement agent”, “detective”, “task force”, “FUGITIVE RECOVERY AGENT”, or any other combination of names that gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the federal government, state government, or any political subdivision of a state government. However, law enforcement identification does not include “bail agent” or “bondsman” when used by a bail agent or bondsman operating in accordance with section 167b.

Further; the majority of the states that require licensing of Recovery Agents require them to utilize either the term Bail Enforcement Agent; or Bounty Hunter and specifically bar the term Fugitive Recovery Agent as they fell it can lead the common person to the false belief that they are sworn Law Enforcement Officers.

And; yes, I know what you are referring to about Bail Agent licensing here in MI but you left out an important fact.

Yes you need to become; at least, a Licensed Limited Lines Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and appointed to write Surety Bonds to post bail; but, there is a little known loop hole that allows for another type of bondsman here in MI; that is the Property Bondsmen.

Unlike the Insurance backed Bail Agent; Property Bondsmen are not licensed insurance producers and utilize their private property to back their bonds. Once approved by a Judge they are permitted to post bonds in that court.

I may seem to contradict myself here from my original posting as the following bill creates the term Bail Enforcement Agent under MI law.

One of the main reason the recent bill (H 5943) “Bail Enforcement Agent Licensing Act” was tabled in the first session of the House is because of resistance from the Property Bondsmen; but, I am certain that it will pass in an upcoming session of the House once the finical aspects of implementing censure and an acceptable compromise is made with the Bail Agents and Property Bondsmen.

Apparently you missed a key portion of my posting; it is a crime in the State of Michigan to utilize the term “Fugitive Recovery Agent” under the Law Enforcement Identification Act ~ MCL 750.216b (3)

As used in this section, “law enforcement identification” means any identification that contains the words “law enforcement” or similar words, including, but not limited to, “agent”, “enforcement agent”, “detective”, “task force”, “FUGITIVE RECOVERY AGENT”, or any other combination of names that gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the federal government, state government, or any political subdivision of a state government. However, law enforcement identification does not include “bail agent” or “bondsman” when used by a bail agent or bondsman operating in accordance with section 167b.

Further; the majority of the states that require licensing of Recovery Agents require them to utilize either the term Bail Enforcement Agent; or Bounty Hunter and specifically bar the term Fugitive Recovery Agent as they fell it can lead the common person to the false belief that they are sworn Law Enforcement Officers.

And; yes, I know what you are referring to about Bail Agent licensing here in MI but you left out an important fact.

Yes you need to become; at least, a Licensed Limited Lines Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and appointed to write Surety Bonds to post bail; but, there is a little known loop hole that allows for another type of bondsman here in MI; that is the Property Bondsmen.

Unlike the Insurance backed Bail Agent; Property Bondsmen are not licensed insurance producers and utilize their private property to back their bonds. Once approved by a Judge they are permitted to post bonds in that court.

I may seem to contradict myself here from my original posting as the following bill creates the term Bail Enforcement Agent under MI law.

One of the main reason the recent bill (H 5943) “Bail Enforcement Agent Licensing Act” was tabled in the first session of the House is because of resistance from the Property Bondsmen; but, I am certain that it will pass in an upcoming session of the House once the finical aspects of implementing censure and an acceptable compromise is made with the Bail Agents and Property Bondsmen.

DLEG states that a Bail Agent may appoint a “runner” to do many things; with the exception of executing a bond, they may locate and deliver a principal to the jail or court, file the bond, take the application etc. The main thing they are prevented from doing is signing the bond.

Also there is the Law Enforcement Identification Act ~ MCL 750.216b (3)

As used in this section, “law enforcement identification” means any identification that contains the words “law enforcement” or similar words, including, but not limited to, “agent”, “enforcement agent”, “detective”, “task force”, “fugitive recovery agent”, or any other combination of names that gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the federal government, state government, or any political subdivision of a state government. However, law enforcement identification does not include “bail agent” or “bondsman” when used by a bail agent or bondsman operating in accordance with section 167b.

So those out there running around MI calling themselves Agent So-and-So; or Bail Enforcement Agent or Fugitive Recovery Agent are actually committing a felony. The only acceptable terms are Bail Agent or Bounty Hunter.

There was a bill introduced that would require Licensing of Bounty Hunters; as much as I hate that term, as well as Runners which failed to pass. The proposed law would make it necessary for Hunters to become MI Licensed Insurance Producers to work in MI as well as institute mandatory training and continued education requirements.

To write Bail one needs to pass a test and become licensed as a; at minimum, Limited Lines Property & Casualty Insurance Producer. Under the LL P&C Surety is automatic. Once you receive the license you may then find an Insurance Company to back you and apply to the Court in the County you wish to work for approval as a Bail Agent. Not an easy task these days and each county has different procedures for doing so. You may qualify in one and be denied in 5 others.

The Licensing Act for Bounty Hunters failed mainly because it would cost more per year to implement and operate then the State would make. The proposed act would cost the State of MI $250,000 or more to run each year then it would make. Once the financial aspects are resolved I’m quite sure the act will pass.

As it stands because of the confusion of the 2008 Professional Investigators Act Bail Bondsmen wont hire anyone as a Hunter that is not Licensed as a PI out of fear that they may face civil and criminal charges for doing so.

In short if you want to hunt in MI wait till the Licensing Act goes through and take an DLEG approved course and apply.

There is one guy out here right now going by the Fugitive Recovery Academy pedaling a worthless course that has not been approved by any one yet he claims it will allow his student to obtain a license that doesn’t even exist yet.

This kid is trying to make a profit off of our industry and he knows nothing about it; he’s new to the field himself and is not qualified to teach you how to sharpen your pencil let alone give a course on Bail Recovery.

Currently; here in MI, no one is authorized by the state or any legitimate education institution to offer such a class.

Wait for a course that is approved by DLEG; which there currently are none. The education requirements under the proposed bill are insurance education only and nothing

DLEG states that a Bail Agent may appoint a “runner” to do many things; with the exception of executing a bond, they may locate and deliver a principal to the jail or court, file the bond, take the application etc. The main thing they are prevented from doing is signing the bond.

Also there is the Law Enforcement Identification Act ~ MCL 750.216b (3)

As used in this section, “law enforcement identification” means any identification that contains the words “law enforcement” or similar words, including, but not limited to, “agent”, “enforcement agent”, “detective”, “task force”, “fugitive recovery agent”, or any other combination of names that gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the federal government, state government, or any political subdivision of a state government. However, law enforcement identification does not include “bail agent” or “bondsman” when used by a bail agent or bondsman operating in accordance with section 167b.

So those out there running around MI calling themselves Agent So-and-So; or Bail Enforcement Agent or Fugitive Recovery Agent are actually committing a felony. The only acceptable terms are Bail Agent or Bounty Hunter.

There was a bill introduced that would require Licensing of Bounty Hunters; as much as I hate that term, as well as Runners which failed to pass. The proposed law would make it necessary for Hunters to become MI Licensed Insurance Producers to work in MI as well as institute mandatory training and continued education requirements.

To write Bail one needs to pass a test and become licensed as a; at minimum, Limited Lines Property & Casualty Insurance Producer. Under the LL P&C Surety is automatic. Once you receive the license you may then find an Insurance Company to back you and apply to the Court in the County you wish to work for approval as a Bail Agent. Not an easy task these days and each county has different procedures for doing so. You may qualify in one and be denied in 5 others.

The Licensing Act for Bounty Hunters failed mainly because it would cost more per year to implement and operate then the State would make. The proposed act would cost the State of MI $250,000 or more to run each year then it would make. Once the financial aspects are resolved I’m quite sure the act will pass.

As it stands because of the confusion of the 2008 Professional Investigators Act Bail Bondsmen wont hire anyone as a Hunter that is not Licensed as a PI out of fear that they may face civil and criminal charges for doing so.

In short if you want to hunt in MI wait till the Licensing Act goes through and take an DLEG approved course and apply.

There is one guy out here right now going by the Fugitive Recovery Academy pedaling a worthless course that has not been approved by any one yet he claims it will allow his student to obtain a license that doesn’t even exist yet.

This kid is trying to make a profit off of our industry and he knows nothing about it; he’s new to the field himself and is not qualified to teach you how to sharpen your pencil let alone give a course on Bail Recovery.

Currently; here in MI, no one is authorized by the state or any legitimate education institution to offer such a class.

Wait for a course that is approved by DLEG; which there currently are none. The education requirements under the proposed bill are insurance education only and nothing