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(Trenton, N.J.-AP, Sept. 18, 2005 7:15 PM)_ New Jersey is looking at Connecticut's example as it tries to make rules for bounty hunters.
Connecticut started requiring bounty hunters to get licenses and undergo background checks in the late 1990s. They also need criminal justice training.
New Jersey officials may adopt similar standards after a Bergen County woman was mistakenly hauled away by a bounty hunter looking for someone else last year.
Retired F-B-I agent Peter Barnes, now an assemblyman, says he doesn't want it to happen again.
Right now, there are almost no rules for New Jersey bounty hunters. They earn a cut of the forfeited bond money if they can track down people who skip court.
Assemblyman Neil Cohen says he wants to look at professionalizing the job the way Connecticut has. New Jersey is one of many states that have no laws defining the authority of bounty hunters, also known as bail recovery agents.
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