#Plausible Deniability

What the police do reflects directly on the government. Even a rogue cop who goes to court tarnishes the badge. A rogue cop who does not go to court means the rot is starting.

I hope you realize that giving the legal right to arrest a target means that the bounty hunters have the legal right to arrest anyone who looks like the target. And the right to harass anyone who looks like the target and demand to see papers to prove that they're not the target. Add that the bounty hunters are not trained police officers, and do not get access to police information systems. Either rules are harshly enforced on the bounty hunters, then the first honest mistake sends them to prison for kidnapping and assault. Or the system cuts them some slack if they say "he looked like the perp, honest." Such a force can be useful to people in power.

Note that many jurisdictions allow a citizens's arrest and many post rewards for information on crimes or criminals. But someone who makes a living by seeking out opportunities for a citizen's arrest would be in an awkward position if he or she gets it wrong.

#Lobby Work by the Bond and Prison Industry

The US-style concept of bounty hunters is tied to the practice of bond/bail and the agents who loan this money. Few industrialized countries have similar systems -- a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and held in jail only if there is fear of flight or evidence tampering. Posting a significant bond might reduce the fear of flight, but not if the defendant fears several years in prison.

So why keep it? Because the people involved in it make lots of money, and donate in the right places.

Plausible Deniability

What the police do reflects directly on the government. Even a rogue cop who goes to court tarnishes the badge. A rogue cop who does not go to court means the rot is starting.

I hope you realize that giving the legal right to arrest a target means that the bounty hunters have the legal right to arrest anyone who looks like the target. And the right to harass anyone who looks like the target and demand to see papers to prove that they're not the target. Add that the bounty hunters are not trained police officers, and do not get access to police information systems. Either rules are harshly enforced on the bounty hunters, then the first honest mistake sends them to prison for kidnapping and assault. Or the system cuts them some slack if they say "he looked like the perp, honest." Such a force can be useful to people in power.

Note that many jurisdictions allow a citizens's arrest and many post rewards for information on crimes or criminals. But someone who makes a living by seeking out opportunities for a citizen's arrest would be in an awkward position if he or she gets it wrong.

Lobby Work by the Bond and Prison Industry

The US-style concept of bounty hunters is tied to the practice of bond/bail and the agents who loan this money. Few industrialized countries have similar systems -- a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and held in jail only if there is fear of flight or evidence tampering. Posting a significant bond might reduce the fear of flight, but not if the defendant fears several years in prison.

So why keep it? Because the people involved in it make lots of money, and donate in the right places.

#Plausible Deniability

What the police do reflects directly on the government. Even a rogue cop who goes to court tarnishes the badge. A rogue cop who does not go to court means the rot is starting.

I hope you realize that giving the legal right to arrest a target means that the bounty hunters have the legal right to arrest anyone who looks like the target. Add that the bounty hunters are not trained police officers, and do not get access to police information systems. Either rules are harshly enforced on the bounty hunters, then the first honest mistake sends them to prison for kidnapping and assault. Or the system cuts them some slack if they say "he looked like the perp, honest." Such a force can be useful to people in power.

Note that many jurisdictions allow a citizens's arrest and many post rewards for information on crimes or criminals. But someone who makes a living by seeking out opportunities for a citizen's arrest would be in an awkward position if he or she gets it wrong.

#Lobby Work by the Bond and Prison Industry

The US-style concept of bounty hunters is tied to the practice of bond/bail and the agents who loan this money. Few industrialized countries have similar systems -- a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and held in jail only if there is fear of flight or evidence tampering. Posting a significant bond might reduce the fear of flight, but not if the defendant fears several years in prison.

So why keep it? Because the people involved in it make lots of money, and donate in the right places.

#Plausible Deniability

What the police do reflects directly on the government. Even a rogue cop who goes to court tarnishes the badge. A rogue cop who does not go to court means the rot is starting.

I hope you realize that giving the legal right to arrest a target means that the bounty hunters have the legal right to arrest anyone who looks like the target. And the right to harass anyone who looks like the target and demand to see papers to prove that they're not the target. Add that the bounty hunters are not trained police officers, and do not get access to police information systems. Either rules are harshly enforced on the bounty hunters, then the first honest mistake sends them to prison for kidnapping and assault. Or the system cuts them some slack if they say "he looked like the perp, honest." Such a force can be useful to people in power.

Note that many jurisdictions allow a citizens's arrest and many post rewards for information on crimes or criminals. But someone who makes a living by seeking out opportunities for a citizen's arrest would be in an awkward position if he or she gets it wrong.

#Lobby Work by the Bond and Prison Industry

The US-style concept of bounty hunters is tied to the practice of bond/bail and the agents who loan this money. Few industrialized countries have similar systems -- a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and held in jail only if there is fear of flight or evidence tampering. Posting a significant bond might reduce the fear of flight, but not if the defendant fears several years in prison.

So why keep it? Because the people involved in it make lots of money, and donate in the right places.