Dallas, Texas

Are there any age requirements to become a bounty hunter?

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Derek,

In TX, you must be at least 18 years old because that is the minimum age at which you can obtain a private investigator's license. 

Each state regulates bounty hunting differently- in states where a license is not required the bottom-line requirement will be 18 years of age because you must be of legal age to be assigned as an agent of the bail bondsman or surety upon the bail.  This is very similar to a "Power of Attorney" and is only assignable to a person of "suitable age," which might as well read "adult."

In some states that require licensing, the minimum age requirement is 21.  

It is also important to note that if you plan to carry a firearm while working, states will require that you are at least 21 years of age to obtain a concealed carry permit.  Regardless of what you have been told or led to believe, you must follow all firearms laws of the states in which you are working!  Just because we have an authorization to arrest a defendant given to us by a bail bondsman, we are not automatically entitled to posses a gun, either open-carry or concealed-carry.  We are no different in this respect than any other private citizen unless our state issued license says otherwise!  (Some states authorize a private investigator or bail agent licensee to carry a concealed firearm.)

Lastly, if you are licensed and allowed to carry a concealed firearm in your state, then "concealed" means just that.. keep your weapon CONCEALED!  It is typically only legal to brandish a firearm when your life or that of another is in imminent danger- making an apprehension doesn't qualify unless you can prove that you were in immediate danger. 

None of this is to be construed as legal advice!  You are responsible for understanding and abiding by any laws that may apply to you in your situation!

-Scott