Section 270. Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations

A. During the recovery of a bailee, a bail bondsman shall have a copy of the relevant recognizance for the bailee. In the event a bail bondsman is recovering the bailee of another bondsman, he shall also have written authorization from the bailee's bondsman obtained prior to affecting the capture. The department shall develop the written authorization form to be used in such circumstances.

B. A bail bondsmen shall not enter a residential structure without first verbally notifying the occupants who are present at the time of the entry.

C. Absent exigent circumstances, a bail bondsman shall give prior notification of at least 24 hours to local law enforcement or state police of the intent to apprehend a bailee. In all cases, a bail bondsman shall inform local law enforcement within 30 minutes of capturing a bailee.

D. A bail bondsman shall not break any laws of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a bailee.

E. A bail bondsman shall adhere to the recovery requirements pursuant to § 19.2-149 of the Code of Virginia.

F. A bail bondsman must complete and maintain the information on the recovery of a bailee on a form prescribed by the department.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. August 20, 2008.

Statutory Authority

§ 9.1-185.2 of the Code of Virginia.