<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>71199</law_id><section_number>9.1-185.15</section_number><catch_line>Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="9.1">Commonwealth Public Safety</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Department of Criminal Justice Services</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="11">Bail Bondsmen</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> During the recovery of a <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>, a <span class="dictionary">bail bondsman</span> shall have a copy of the relevant <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> for the <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>. In the event a <span class="dictionary">bail bondsman</span> is recovering the <span class="dictionary">bailee</span> of another bondsman, he shall also have written authorization from the <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>&#x2019;s bondsman, obtained prior to effecting the capture. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall develop the written authorization form to be used in such circumstances. <a id="paragraph-256628" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-185.15/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A bail bondsmen shall not enter a residential structure without first verbally notifying the occupants who are present at the time of the entry. <a id="paragraph-256629" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-185.15/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Absent exigent circumstances, a <span class="dictionary">bail bondsman</span> shall give prior notification of at least 24 hours to local <span class="dictionary">law</span> enforcement or state <span class="dictionary">police</span> of the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to apprehend a <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>. In all cases, a <span class="dictionary">bail bondsman</span> shall inform local <span class="dictionary">law</span> enforcement within 30 minutes of capturing a <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>. <a id="paragraph-256630" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-185.15/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">bail bondsman</span> shall not break any <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>. <a id="paragraph-256631" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-185.15/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2004, c. 460.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
