A bail bond agent, bail bondsman, or bond dealer is any person (s), bail agency or corporation that will act as a surety and pledge monetary or property as bail for the appearance of a defendant. Bail bond agents are almost exclusively found in the United States In most other countries, the practice of bounty hunting is not a illegal practice. The industry is represented by various trade associations, with the Professional Bail Agents of the United States and the American Bail Coalition forming an umbrella group for bail agents and surety companies and the National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents.