In the 1873 case Taylor v. Taintor, the United States Supreme Court described the broad authority that bail sureties have over a person released on bail.
The decision is often cited as the legal foundation for bail recovery agents, sometimes called bounty hunters. The photo shows the historic Old Supreme Court Chamber in the U.S. Capitol.
Today’s Rules
Modern state laws now regulate who may perform bail recovery and how. Some states restrict or ban commercial bail entirely, so rules differ widely.
Safety Note
Never approach a wanted person yourself. If you have information about a fugitive, contact law enforcement. Learn more about fugitive recovery history and public bulletins at FugitiveHQ.
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