New York, like most of the United States, continues to permit the use of bail bonds-persons to post collateral for the release of criminal defendants. The rest of the world either prohibits this practice or takes an extremely dim view of it. See, Adam Liptak, Illegal Globally, Bail for Profit Remains in U.S., New York Times (Jan. 29, 2008). 

Here is an interesting portrait of what today’s bounty hunters actually look like. Criminal Justice Degree Hub* recently published What Bounty Hunters Look Like Today.

Related Reading:

• John Eligon, For Poor, Bail System Can Be an Obstacle to Freedom, New York Times (Jan. 9, 2011).
• John Eligon, Bailing Out the Stars, New York Times (Sept. 24, 2010).

*Opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the position of the Pace Criminal Justice Institute or its Board of Advisors.