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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>59388</law_id><section_number>9.1-186.12</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="12">Bail Enforcement Agents</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</span> enforcement agent shall have a copy of the relevant <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> for the <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>. 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-217650" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-186.12/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A <span class="dictionary">bail</span> enforcement agent shall not enter the residence of another without first verbally notifying the occupants who are present at the time of entry. <a id="paragraph-217651" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-186.12/#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</span> enforcement agent 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</span> enforcement agent shall inform local <span class="dictionary">law</span> enforcement within 60 minutes of capturing a <span class="dictionary">bailee</span>. <a id="paragraph-217652" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-186.12/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">bail</span> enforcement agent 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-217653" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-186.12/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2004, c. 397.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
