(1) A person may not act in the capacity of a bail bond agent or temporary bail bond agent or perform any of the functions, duties, or powers prescribed for bail bond agents or temporary bail bond agents under this chapter unless that person is qualified, licensed, and appointed as provided in this chapter.
(2) A person may not represent himself or herself to be a bail enforcement agent, bounty hunter, or other similar title in this state.
(3) A person, other than a certified law enforcement officer, may not apprehend, detain, or arrest a principal on a bond, wherever issued, unless that person is qualified, licensed, and appointed as provided in this chapter or licensed as a bail bond agent or bail bond enforcement agent, or holds an equivalent license by the state where the bond was written.
(4) Any person who violates this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(5) Any licensee under this chapter who knowingly aids or abets an unlicensed person in violating this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 4, ch. 29621, 1955; s. 177, ch. 70-339; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 6, 71, 72, ch. 82-175; ss. 50, 51, ch. 84-103; s. 5, ch. 87-321; ss. 8, 46, 47, ch. 90-131; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 7, ch. 96-372; s. 6, ch. 2002-260; s. 30, ch. 2021-113.
Note.—Former s. 903.40.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 648 - Bail Bond Agents
648.24 - Declaration of Public Policy.
648.26 - Department of Financial Services; Administration.
648.27 - Licenses and Appointments; General.
648.285 - Bond Agency; Ownership Requirements.
648.29 - Build-Up Funds Posted by Bail Bond Agent.
648.295 - Reporting and Accounting of Funds.
648.30 - Licensure and Appointment Required; Prohibited Acts; Penalties.
648.31 - Appointment Taxes and Fees.
648.315 - Number of Applications for Licensure Required.
648.34 - Bail Bond Agents; Qualifications.
648.35 - Professional Bail Bond Agent; Qualifications.
648.36 - Bail Bond Agent’s Records.
648.365 - Statistical Reporting Requirements; Penalty for Failure to Comply.
648.38 - Licensure Examination for Bail Bond Agents; Time; Place; Fees; Scope.
648.383 - Renewal, Continuation, Reinstatement, and Termination of Appointment; Bail Bond Agents.
648.384 - Effect of Expiration of Appointment; Bail Bond Agents.
648.385 - Continuing Education Required; Requirements.
648.386 - Qualifications for Prelicensing and Continuing Education Schools and Instructors.
648.387 - Primary Bail Bond Agents; Duties.
648.388 - Insurer Must Appoint Managing General Agent.
648.40 - Application for Appointment of Professional Bail Bond Agents; Termination.
648.41 - Termination of Appointment of Temporary Bail Bond Agents.
648.42 - Registration of Bail Bond Agents.
648.421 - Notice of Change of Address or Telephone Number.
648.43 - Power of Attorney; Approval by Office; Filing of Copies; Notification of Transfer Bond.
648.44 - Prohibitions; Penalty.
648.441 - Furnishing Supplies to Unlicensed Bail Bond Agent Prohibited; Civil Liability and Penalty.
648.442 - Collateral Security.
648.45 - Actions Against a Licensee; Suspension or Revocation of Eligibility to Hold a License.
648.46 - Procedure for Disciplinary Action Against Licensees.
648.48 - Witnesses and Evidence.
648.49 - Duration of Suspension or Revocation.
648.50 - Effect of Suspension, Revocation Upon Associated Licenses and Licensees.
648.51 - Surrender of License.
648.55 - All Bail Bond Agents of Same Agency; Licensed by Same Companies.