Ohio § 2927.27 Illegal bail bond agent practices

Ohio Statutes

§ 2927.27 — Illegal bail bond agent practices

Ohio § 2927.27

Title 29Crimes-Procedure

Ch. 2927Miscellaneous Offenses

This text of Ohio § 2927.27 (Illegal bail bond agent practices) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2927.27 (2026).

Text

(A)No person, other than a law enforcement officer, shall apprehend, detain, or arrest a principal on bond, wherever issued, unless that person meets all of the following criteria:

(1)The person is any of the following:

(a)Qualified, licensed, and appointed as a surety bail bond agent under sections3905.83to3905.95of the Revised Code;

(b)Licensed as a surety bail bond agent by the state where the bond was written;

(c)Licensed as a private investigator under chapter 4749. of the Revised Code;

(d)Licensed as a private investigator by the state where the bond was written;

(e)An off-duty peace officer, as defined in section2921.51of the Revised Code.

(2)The person, prior to apprehending, detaining, or arresting the principal, has entered into a written contract with the surety

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(A) No person, other than a law enforcement officer, shall apprehend, detain, or arrest a principal on bond, wherever issued, unless that person meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The person is any of the following:

(a) Qualified, licensed, and appointed as a surety bail bond agent under sections3905.83to3905.95of the Revised Code;

(b) Licensed as a surety bail bond agent by the state where the bond was written;

(c) Licensed as a private investigator under chapter 4749. of the Revised Code;

(d) Licensed as a private investigator by the state where the bond was written;

(e) An off-duty peace officer, as defined in section2921.51of the Revised Code.

(2) The person, prior to apprehending, detaining, or arresting the principal, has entered into a written contract with the surety or with a licensed surety bail bond agent appointed by the surety, which contract sets forth the name of the principal who is to be apprehended, detained, or arrested.

For purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, "surety" has the same meaning as in section3905.83of the Revised Code.

(3) The person, prior to apprehending, detaining, or arresting the principal, has notified the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the area in which such activities will be performed and has provided any form of identification or other information requested by the law enforcement agency.

(B) No person shall represent the person's self to be a bail enforcement agent or bounty hunter, or claim any similar title, in this state.

(C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of illegal bail bond agent practices.

(2) A violation of division (A) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more violations of division (A) of this section, a felony of the third degree.

(3) A violation of division (B) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more violations of division (B) of this section, a felony of the third degree.