{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/9.1-186.8.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/9.1-186.8.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/9.1-186.8.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/9.1-186.8.html"}],"law_id":378664,"edition_id":2,"section_id":378664,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.8","catch_line":"Professional conduct standards; grounds for disciplinary actions","history":"2004, c. 397.","full_text":"A\n\nAny violations of the restrictions or standards under subsection B shall be grounds for placing on probation, refusal to issue or renew, sanctioning, suspension or revocation of the bail enforcement agent’s license. A licensed bail enforcement agent is responsible for ensuring that his employees, partners and individuals contracted to perform services for or on his behalf comply with all of these provisions, and do not violate any of the restrictions that apply to bail enforcement agents. Violations by a bail enforcement agent’s employee, partner or agent may be grounds for disciplinary action against the bail enforcement agent, including probation, suspension, or revocation of license.\n\nB\n\nA licensed bail enforcement agent shall not:\n\n1\n\nEngage in any fraud or willful misrepresentation, or provide materially incorrect, misleading, incomplete or untrue information in applying for an original license, or renewal of an existing license, or in submitting any documents to the Department.\n\n2\n\nUse any letterhead, advertising, or other printed matter in any manner representing that he is an agent, employee, or instrumentality of the federal government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state.\n\n3\n\nImpersonate, permit or aid and abet any employee to impersonate, a law-enforcement officer or employee of the United States, any state, or a political subdivision of a state.\n\n4\n\nUse a name different from that under which he is currently licensed for any advertising, solicitation, or contract to secure business unless the name is an authorized fictitious name.\n\n5\n\nCoerce, suggest, aid and abet, offer promise of favor, or threaten any person to induce that person to commit any crime.\n\n6\n\nGive or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift of any kind to any nonelected public official or any employee of a governmental agency involved with the administration of justice, including but not limited to law-enforcement personnel, magistrates, judges, jail employees, and attorneys. De minimis gifts, not to exceed $50 per year per recipient, are acceptable, provided the purpose of the gift is not to directly solicit business, or would otherwise be a violation of Department regulations or the laws of the Commonwealth.\n\n7\n\nKnowingly violate, advise, encourage, or assist in the violation of any statute, court order, or injunction in the course of conducting activities regulated under this chapter.\n\n8\n\nSolicit business for an attorney in return for compensation.\n\n9\n\nWillfully neglect to render to a client services or a report as agreed between the parties and for which compensation has been paid or tendered in accordance with the agreement of the parties, but if the bail enforcement agent chooses to withdraw from the case and returns the funds for work not yet done, no violation of this section exists.\n\n10\n\nFail to comply with any of the statutory or regulatory requirements governing licensed bail enforcement agents.\n\n11\n\nFail or refuse to cooperate with any investigation by the Department.\n\n12\n\nFail to comply with any subpoena issued by the Department.\n\n13\n\nEmploy or contract with any unlicensed or improperly licensed person or agency to conduct activities regulated under this article, if the licensure status was known or could have been ascertained by reasonable inquiry.\n\n14\n\nSolicit or receive a bribe or other consideration in exchange for failing to recover or detain a bailee.\n\nC\n\nThe Department shall have the authority to place on probation, suspend or revoke a bail enforcement agent’s license if an agent is arrested or issued a summons for a criminal offense, or becomes the subject of a protective order.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1414079,"text":"Any violations of the restrictions or standards under subsection B shall be grounds for placing on probation, refusal to issue or renew, sanctioning, suspension or revocation of the bail enforcement agent’s license. A licensed bail enforcement agent is responsible for ensuring that his employees, partners and individuals contracted to perform services for or on his behalf comply with all of these provisions, and do not violate any of the restrictions that apply to bail enforcement agents. Violations by a bail enforcement agent’s employee, partner or agent may be grounds for disciplinary action against the bail enforcement agent, including probation, suspension, or revocation of license.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1414080,"text":"A licensed bail enforcement agent shall not:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1414081,"text":"Engage in any fraud or willful misrepresentation, or provide materially incorrect, misleading, incomplete or untrue information in applying for an original license, or renewal of an existing license, or in submitting any documents to the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1414082,"text":"Use any letterhead, advertising, or other printed matter in any manner representing that he is an agent, employee, or instrumentality of the federal government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1414083,"text":"Impersonate, permit or aid and abet any employee to impersonate, a law-enforcement officer or employee of the United States, any state, or a political subdivision of a state.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":1414084,"text":"Use a name different from that under which he is currently licensed for any advertising, solicitation, or contract to secure business unless the name is an authorized fictitious name.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":1414085,"text":"Coerce, suggest, aid and abet, offer promise of favor, or threaten any person to induce that person to commit any crime.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":1414086,"text":"Give or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift of any kind to any nonelected public official or any employee of a governmental agency involved with the administration of justice, including but not limited to law-enforcement personnel, magistrates, judges, jail employees, and attorneys. De minimis gifts, not to exceed $50 per year per recipient, are acceptable, provided the purpose of the gift is not to directly solicit business, or would otherwise be a violation of Department regulations or the laws of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":1414087,"text":"Knowingly violate, advise, encourage, or assist in the violation of any statute, court order, or injunction in the course of conducting activities regulated under this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":1414088,"text":"Solicit business for an attorney in return for compensation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"B9"},"10":{"id":1414089,"text":"Willfully neglect to render to a client services or a report as agreed between the parties and for which compensation has been paid or tendered in accordance with the agreement of the parties, but if the bail enforcement agent chooses to withdraw from the case and returns the funds for work not yet done, no violation of this section exists.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"B9","prefix_anchor":"B9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B8","next_prefix":"B10"},"11":{"id":1414090,"text":"Fail to comply with any of the statutory or regulatory requirements governing licensed bail enforcement agents.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"B10","prefix_anchor":"B10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B9","next_prefix":"B11"},"12":{"id":1414091,"text":"Fail or refuse to cooperate with any investigation by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"B11","prefix_anchor":"B11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B10","next_prefix":"B12"},"13":{"id":1414092,"text":"Fail to comply with any subpoena issued by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"B12","prefix_anchor":"B12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B11","next_prefix":"B13"},"14":{"id":1414093,"text":"Employ or contract with any unlicensed or improperly licensed person or agency to conduct activities regulated under this article, if the licensure status was known or could have been ascertained by reasonable inquiry.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"B13","prefix_anchor":"B13","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B12","next_prefix":"B14"},"15":{"id":1414094,"text":"Solicit or receive a bribe or other consideration in exchange for failing to recover or detain a bailee.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"B14","prefix_anchor":"B14","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B13","next_prefix":"C"},"16":{"id":1414095,"text":"The Department shall have the authority to place on probation, suspend or revoke a bail enforcement agent’s license if an agent is arrested or issued a summons for a criminal offense, or becomes the subject of a protective order.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B14"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53807,"edition_id":2,"name":"Bail Enforcement Agents","identifier":"12","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":12,"parent_id":53786,"metadata":{"child_laws":15,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:22:34","date_modified":"2026-08-02 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12:28:39","permalink":{"id":1511489,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53785,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":378666,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/9.1-186\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186","metadata":false},{"id":378652,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.1","catch_line":"Inapplicability of article","url":"\/9.1-186.1\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.1","metadata":false},{"id":378653,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.10","catch_line":"Uniforms and identification; standards and restrictions","url":"\/9.1-186.10\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.10","metadata":false},{"id":378654,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.11","catch_line":"Reporting standards and requirements","url":"\/9.1-186.11\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.11","metadata":false},{"id":378655,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.12","catch_line":"Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations","url":"\/9.1-186.12\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.12","metadata":false},{"id":378656,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.13","catch_line":"Penalties, criminal and monetary","url":"\/9.1-186.13\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.13","metadata":false},{"id":378657,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.14","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/9.1-186.14\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.14","metadata":false},{"id":378658,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.2","catch_line":"Powers of Department and Board relating to bail enforcement agents","url":"\/9.1-186.2\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.2","metadata":false},{"id":378659,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.3","catch_line":"Powers of Department relating to bail enforcement agents","url":"\/9.1-186.3\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.3","metadata":false},{"id":378660,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.4","catch_line":"Limitations on licensure","url":"\/9.1-186.4\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.4","metadata":false},{"id":378661,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.5","catch_line":"Bail enforcement agent license; criminal history records check","url":"\/9.1-186.5\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.5","metadata":false},{"id":378662,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.6","catch_line":"Licenses; renewal","url":"\/9.1-186.6\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.6","metadata":false},{"id":378663,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.7","catch_line":"Licensure of nonresidents","url":"\/9.1-186.7\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.7","metadata":false},{"id":378664,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.8","catch_line":"Professional conduct standards; grounds for disciplinary actions","url":"\/9.1-186.8\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.8","metadata":false},{"id":378665,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.9","catch_line":"Firearms, training and usage; standards and requirements","url":"\/9.1-186.9\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":378663,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.7","catch_line":"Licensure of nonresidents","url":"\/9.1-186.7\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.7","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":378665,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.9","catch_line":"Firearms, training and usage; standards and requirements","url":"\/9.1-186.9\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.9","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-186.8\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 397<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1511769,"object_type":"law","relational_id":378664,"identifier":"9.1-186.8","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.8","url":"\/9.1-186.8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-186.8\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.8","dublin_core":{"Title":"Professional conduct standards; grounds for disciplinary actions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-186.8","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any violations of the restrictions or standards under subsection B shall be grounds for placing on probation<\/span>, refusal to issue<\/span> or renew, sanctioning, suspension or revocation<\/span> of the bail<\/span> enforcement agent’s license. A licensed bail<\/span> enforcement agent is responsible for ensuring that his employees, partners and individuals contracted to perform services for or on his behalf comply with all of these provisions, and do not violate any of the restrictions that apply to bail<\/span> enforcement agents. Violations by a bail<\/span> enforcement agent’s employee, partner or agent may be grounds for disciplinary action against the bail<\/span> enforcement agent, including probation<\/span>, suspension, or revocation<\/span> of license. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A licensed bail<\/span> enforcement agent shall not: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Engage in any fraud<\/span> or willful misrepresentation, or provide materially incorrect, misleading, incomplete or untrue information in applying for an original license, or renewal of an existing license, or in submitting any documents to the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Use any letterhead, advertising, or other printed matter in any manner representing that he is an agent, employee, or instrumentality of the federal government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Impersonate, permit or aid and abet<\/span> any employee to impersonate, a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or employee of the United States, any state, or a political subdivision of a state. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Use a name different from that under which he is currently licensed for any advertising, solicitation, or contract<\/span> to secure business unless the name is an authorized fictitious name. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Coerce, suggest, aid and abet<\/span>, offer promise of favor, or threaten any person to induce that person to commit any crime<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Give or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift of any kind to any nonelected public official or any employee of a governmental agency involved with the administration of justice, including but not limited to law<\/span>-enforcement personnel, magistrates<\/span>, judges<\/span>, jail employees, and attorneys. De minimis gifts, not to exceed $50 per year per recipient, are acceptable, provided the purpose of the gift is not to directly solicit business, or would otherwise be a violation of Department<\/span> regulations or the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Knowingly violate, advise, encourage, or assist in the violation of any statute<\/span>, court order<\/span>, or injunction<\/span> in the course of conducting activities regulated under this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Solicit business for an attorney in return for compensation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Willfully neglect to render to a client services or a report as agreed between the parties and for which compensation has been paid or tendered in accordance with the agreement of the parties, but if the bail<\/span> enforcement agent chooses to withdraw from the case and returns the funds for work not yet done, no violation of this section exists. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Fail to comply with any of the statutory or regulatory requirements governing licensed bail<\/span> enforcement agents. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Fail or refuse to cooperate with any investigation by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Fail to comply with any subpoena<\/span> issued by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Employ or contract<\/span> with any unlicensed or improperly licensed person or agency to conduct activities regulated under this article, if the licensure status was known or could have been ascertained by reasonable inquiry. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Solicit or receive a bribe or other consideration in exchange for failing to recover or detain<\/span> a bailee<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall have the authority to place on probation<\/span>, suspend or revoke a bail<\/span> enforcement agent’s license if an agent is arrested or issued a summons<\/span> for a criminal offense<\/span>, or becomes the subject of a protective order. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT STANDARDS; GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (\u00a7 9.1-186.8)\n\nA. Any violations of the restrictions or standards under subsection B shall be\ngrounds for placing on probation, refusal to issue or renew, sanctioning,\nsuspension or revocation of the bail enforcement agent’s license. A\nlicensed bail enforcement agent is responsible for ensuring that his employees,\npartners and individuals contracted to perform services for or on his behalf\ncomply with all of these provisions, and do not violate any of the restrictions\nthat apply to bail enforcement agents. Violations by a bail enforcement\nagent’s employee, partner or agent may be grounds for disciplinary action\nagainst the bail enforcement agent, including probation, suspension, or\nrevocation of license.\n\nB. A licensed bail enforcement agent shall not:\n\n 1. Engage in any fraud or willful misrepresentation, or provide materially\n incorrect, misleading, incomplete or untrue information in applying for an\n original license, or renewal of an existing license, or in submitting any\n documents to the Department.\n\n 2. Use any letterhead, advertising, or other printed matter in any manner\n representing that he is an agent, employee, or instrumentality of the federal\n government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state.\n\n 3. Impersonate, permit or aid and abet any employee to impersonate, a\n law-enforcement officer or employee of the United States, any state, or a\n political subdivision of a state.\n\n 4. Use a name different from that under which he is currently licensed for any\n advertising, solicitation, or contract to secure business unless the name is\n an authorized fictitious name.\n\n 5. Coerce, suggest, aid and abet, offer promise of favor, or threaten any\n person to induce that person to commit any crime.\n\n 6. Give or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift of any kind to any\n nonelected public official or any employee of a governmental agency involved\n with the administration of justice, including but not limited to\n law-enforcement personnel, magistrates, judges, jail employees, and attorneys.\n De minimis gifts, not to exceed $50 per year per recipient, are acceptable,\n provided the purpose of the gift is not to directly solicit business, or would\n otherwise be a violation of Department regulations or the laws of the\n Commonwealth.\n\n 7. Knowingly violate, advise, encourage, or assist in the violation of any\n statute, court order, or injunction in the course of conducting activities\n regulated under this chapter.\n\n 8. Solicit business for an attorney in return for compensation.\n\n 9. Willfully neglect to render to a client services or a report as agreed\n between the parties and for which compensation has been paid or tendered in\n accordance with the agreement of the parties, but if the bail enforcement\n agent chooses to withdraw from the case and returns the funds for work not yet\n done, no violation of this section exists.\n\n 10. Fail to comply with any of the statutory or regulatory requirements\n governing licensed bail enforcement agents.\n\n 11. Fail or refuse to cooperate with any investigation by the Department.\n\n 12. Fail to comply with any subpoena issued by the Department.\n\n 13. Employ or contract with any unlicensed or improperly licensed person or\n agency to conduct activities regulated under this article, if the licensure\n status was known or could have been ascertained by reasonable inquiry.\n\n 14. Solicit or receive a bribe or other consideration in exchange for failing\n to recover or detain a bailee.\n\nC. The Department shall have the authority to place on probation, suspend or\nrevoke a bail enforcement agent’s license if an agent is arrested or\nissued a summons for a criminal offense, or becomes the subject of a protective\norder.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 397.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}