1. A bail enforcement agent employed by a licensee shall not take or attempt to take into custody the principal on a bail bond without notifying the chief law enforcement officer of the local governmental subdivision where the defendant is believed to be present. The bail enforcement agent shall disclose the location where the defendant is believed to be and the bail enforcement agent’s intended actions.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 80A.3A

  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Bail enforcement agent: means a person engaged in the bail enforcement business, including licensees and persons engaged in the bail enforcement business whose principal place of business is in a state other than Iowa. See Iowa Code 80A.1
  • Bail enforcement business: means the business of taking or attempting to take into custody the principal on a bail bond issued or a deposit filed in relation to a criminal proceeding to assure the presence of the defendant at trial, but does not include such actions that are undertaken by a peace officer or a law enforcement officer in the course of the officer's official duties. See Iowa Code 80A.1
  • Chief law enforcement officer: means the county sheriff, chief of police, or other chief law enforcement officer in the local governmental unit where a defendant is located. See Iowa Code 80A.1
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Defendant: means the principal on a bail bond issued or deposit filed in relation to a criminal proceeding in order to assure the presence of the defendant at trial. See Iowa Code 80A.1
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Licensee: means a person licensed under this chapter. See Iowa Code 80A.1
  • Person: means an individual, partnership, corporation, or other business entity. See Iowa Code 80A.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. A person or employee of a person who operates a bail enforcement business in a state other than Iowa and who enters Iowa in pursuit of a defendant who has violated the conditions of a bail bond issued in a state other than Iowa or has otherwise violated conditions of bail imposed by a court in a state other than Iowa shall not take or attempt to take the defendant into custody without first registering with the chief law enforcement officer of the local governmental subdivision where the defendant is believed to be present.

 a. Registration shall require presentation of the following documents:

 (1) A license to operate a bail enforcement business in the state of origin, if the state licenses such businesses. Otherwise, the person or employee shall present other documentation relating to the location of the principal place of business of the bail enforcement business.
 (2) The bail bond, order from the local prosecuting authority in the state of origin, or other documents relating to the authority of the person under the laws of the state of origin to pursue the defendant.
 (3) A copy of any bond for liability for actions of the person or employee.
 b. A bail enforcement agent who registers with the chief law enforcement officer of the local governmental subdivision in accordance with this section and complies with requirements, other than licensure, for acts by a bail enforcement agent within this state, including the limitations imposed by sections 811.8 and 811.12, shall not be subject to civil liability in this state other than as prescribed in this chapter, notwithstanding any other provision under the Code or common law.
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