Are There Any Limits to Bounty Hunting?
There are some limits to what a bounty hunter can do. Bounty hunters can only enter the home of the suspect, not the homes of friends or family members. Also, they cannot act outside of the U.S. If a suspect flees to Mexico or Canada, bounty hunters cannot bring them back without facing charges of kidnapping or false arrest. Several states have placed additional restrictions on bounty hunters, including: • requiring background checks and formal training; • prohibiting bounty hunters from carrying firearms; • requiring clothing that identifies them as bounty hunters. Kentucky does not have a system of bail bonds since suspects are released on their own recognizance, so bounty hunting is generally not allowed. The only exception is for suspects who have fled federal charges from another state.
