Assemblymen Peter Barnes and Gordon Johnson

BARNES/JOHNSON BILL ESTABLISHING STATE OVERSIGHT OF BOUNTY HUNTERS CLEARS SENATE HURDLE
Measure Seeks to Address Growing Reports of Bounty Hunters Abusing PowerFor Release:
December 16, 2005

Contact:
Assemblyman Barnes
(732) 287-5609
Assemblyman Johnson
(201) 541-1118
Derek Roseman
(609) 292-7065

(TRENTON) - A Senate committee yesterday released legislation Assemblymen Peter J. Barnes Jr. and Gordon Johnson sponsored to establish licensing standards for bounty hunters, non-law enforcement professionals who currently exercise police-like powers without any government oversight.

The bill (A-3828/S-2829) was drafted in response to several New Jersey incidents in which bounty hunters abused their authority, putting the general public in danger. One of these incidents occurred in July when two bounty hunters mistakenly captured a Rutherford woman, took her from her home in handcuffs, and hauled her to Morris County, where they released her after realizing they had the wrong person.

"Too many bounty hunters are choosing their line of work because it affords them police-like privileges, but without structure, rules, and oversight," said Barnes (D-Middlesex), a retired FBI special agent and former director of public safety in Edison and East Brunswick. "The 'Wild West' mentality exhibited by some bounty hunters must be put in check. We must hold bounty hunters accountable for their actions and ensure that they do not abuse the privilege of searching out bail jumpers and fugitives."

Under the legislation, bounty hunters would be required to obtain an identification card and a renewable two-year license to be issued by the State Police. Bounty hunters would be required to complete an application, pass a criminal history record background check, and pay a fee and execute a bond in amounts to be determined by the State Police. Any bounty hunter who continues to work without first obtaining a license would be guilty of a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and $10,000 in fines.

The State Police also would be empowered to revoke or suspend a bounty hunter's license for abuse of power, and could impose a civil penalty of up to $2,500.

Barnes has sought to regulate bounty hunters since a 1997 Sayreville incident in which a bounty hunter attempting to apprehend a fugitive did not follow proper arrest procedure and improperly fired a weapon in a public place.

In November 2002, two Essex County bounty hunters - armed with loaded .40 caliber handguns and driving an unmarked car equipped with lights, sirens, and a Newark police radio - were arrested after frisking innocent people. The bounty hunters wore jackets emblazoned with the words "Essex County Fugitive Squad, Violent Crimes Task Force."

This past November, two bounty hunters working for a Pennsylvania-based bail bond company broke into the home of a Trenton couple in search of a fugitive. The couple, who were away at the time, reported that approximately $750 in cash and two pieces of jewelry were taken from the house.

"If police acted as improperly and irresponsibly as some bounty hunters, they would be subject to disciplinary action," said Johnson (D-Bergen). "Properly licensing and regulating bounty hunters is an important public safety issue that needs to be addressed to ensure bounty hunters do not let power go to their heads."

The measure was released by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee and now is poised for a floor vote by the full Senate.

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