Washington State – We reported on Monday that a jury had acquitted a bounty hunter after he was accused of terrorizing a Coeur d’Alene family by threatening to break into their home to find a fugitive who wasn’t there, and never had been.
The story revealed that Idaho case law allows bounty hunters to use force to enter a home, even if the fugitive sought is not in the home, so long as they explain why they’re there and demand admittance.
We thought we’d take a look at Washington State’s bounty hunter (or Bail Bond Recovery Agent) laws, and see how they compare.
The short answer is: Our laws are pretty much the same. It’s called a Planned Forced Entry, and these are the rules they have to follow according to Washington State RCW 18.185.300.
#1. Before a bail bond recovery agent may apprehend a person subject to a bail bond in a planned forced entry, the bail bond recovery agent must:
(a) Have reasonable cause to believe that the defendant is inside the dwelling; and
(b) Notify an appropriate law enforcement agency in the local jurisdiction in which the apprehension is expected to occur. Notification must include, at a minimum: The name of the defendant; the address of the dwelling, the name of the bail bond recovery agent; the name of the contracting bail bond agent; and the alleged offense or conduct the defendant committed that resulted in the issuance of a bail bond.
#2. During the actual planned forced entry, a bail bond recovery agent:
(a) Shall wear a shirt, vest, or other garment with the words “BAIL ENFORCEMENT,” or something similar displayed in at least two-inch-high reflective print letters across the front and back of the garment and in a contrasting color to that of the garment; and
(b) May display a badge approved by the department with the words “BAIL ENFORCEMENT,” or something similar prominently displayed.
#3. Any law enforcement officer who assists in or is in attendance during a planned forced entry is immune from civil action for damages arising out of actions taken by the bail bond recovery agent or agents conducting the forced entry.