To serve as a bounty hunter in Idaho, candidates must complete the following steps:
 | Meet Eligibility Requirements in Idaho |
 | Complete Education and Training in Idaho |
 | Join an Idaho Bail Company |
Idaho is a largely unregulated state in terms of the bounty hunting profession. The only statutory requirement is that the bounty hunter possess Idaho residency. Under Idaho law, virtually any Idaho bail agent may “surrender” a defendant who has forfeited bail and fled their court appointed hearing. This bail agent is usually an employee of the surety or insurance company that issued or underwrote the bail bond.
Idaho law also permits anyone who posted a property bond or cash deposit to insure court appearance the right to surrender the defendant. This surrender must be made into the custody of the sheriff in whose jurisdiction the defendant’s case is pending. Once the defendant has been surrendered and incarcerated, the bail is exonerated or returned to the issuer.
In order to exonerate the bail, the surety company that issued the bail must deliver a certificate of surrender to the sheriff, who must sign this form and list the time when the defendant was surrendered. The bail company must also provide this form to the county prosecuting attorney within five days. Upon receipt, the presiding court will order that the bail be exonerated.
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements in Idaho
Currently, the only state requirement for bounty hunters is that they must be Idaho residents. This is easily accomplished by signing a lease or rental agreement for any residence within the state.
While this may be the only state requirement, it is decidedly more difficult to find an employer who is willing to hire a rookie bounty hunter. In order to establish oneself as an accomplished bail enforcement agent, most newcomers take a variety of training classes, join a local bounty hunter association and network with bail companies.
Step 2: Complete Education and Training in Idaho
The bounty hunter profession can be extremely challenging for newcomers or the inexperienced. While there are no specific bounty hunter degrees, obtaining an associate’s of bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology or law can provide a firm foundation for this profession. In addition to learning how to think critically and solve problems, acquiring skills and knowledge through a college education can also prove valuable if the long-term goal is to enter the law enforcement, private investigator or private security professions. A college education in the appropriate field can also provide a basic understanding of human behavior which is useful during interrogation of witnesses or contacts, investigating a crime, or searching for a fugitive.
In addition to an academic education, most bounty hunters also attend training courses to learn a variety of skills. These skills typically include the use of firearms, handcuffs, chemical sprays or batons. Some bail enforcement agents also benefit from training courses that provide instruction about Idaho laws and regulations. Most of these courses can be found at local colleges, online schools, or private training academies.
In the case of firearms, Idaho requires that residents obtain a concealed weapon permit if they are carrying a concealed weapon inside of city limits. These concealed weapon permits are obtained through the local county sheriff, but may have to provide proof of completion of a firearms training course. This permit is valid for five years.
Step 3: Join an Idaho Bail Bonds Company
Following completion of training and education, bounty hunters may seek to join a bail company. The bail industry in Idaho is not large, so there may be a limited number of openings available in local bail companies. Many candidates may pursue an internship or apprenticeship prior to seeking paid employment. Although the standard rate of payment is ten percent of the outstanding bail amount on a fugitive, new bounty hunters may be forced to accept a smaller percentage in order to compete with more established bounty hunters. It may require persistence to find employment as many bail companies are reluctant to be responsible for the actions of a bail enforcement agent who is new and untried.
Some of the most notable bail bonds companies in the state that support bounty hunter jobs:
- Double Trouble Bail Bonds
- Big Dawg Bail Bonds
- Jail Break Bail Bonds
- Crown Bail Bonds
Sources: http://www.baillaws.com/laws/idaho