Robert Torricelli: “today I am joined by my distinguished colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Kohl, in introducing the ``Bounty Hunter…”

“today I am joined by my distinguished colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Kohl, in introducing the ``Bounty Hunter Accountability and Quality Assurance Act of 1998.'' Our bill will begin the process of reforming the revered but antiquated system of bail enforcement in this country. Throughout our nation's proud history, bounty hunters have proved a valuable addition to our law enforcement and recovery efforts. About 40 percent of all criminal defendants are released on bail each year, and in 1996 alone more than 33,000 skipped town. Police departments, no matter how efficient or determined, cannot be expected to deal with so many bail jumpers in addition to their other duties. But while public law enforcement officers recover only about 10 percent of defendants who skip town, bounty hunters catch an incredible 88 percent of bail jumpers. Because of the special, contractual nature of the relationship between bail bondsmen and those who use them to get out of jail, bounty hunters have traditionally enjoyed special rights--a nineteenth century Supreme Court case affirmed that while bounty hunters may exercise many of the powers granted to police, they are not subject to many of the constitutional checks we place on those law enforcement officials. As a result, bounty hunters need not worry about Miranda rights, extradition proceedings, or search warrants. The ability to more efficiently track and recover criminal defendants serves a valuable purpose in our society.”