First Meeting for New County Bail Bond Board

By LOU ANTONELLI - Managing Editor
The Daily Tribune Online
Saturday, October 1, 2011 3:46 PM CDT

Titus County reaches a historic milestone on Monday afternoon as the first meeting is called for the new county bail bond board.

Creation of the board was unanimously approved by the commissioners last Jan. 10. The first meeting of the board will convene in the county courtroom at 3:30 p.m.

Lee said all bondsmen doing business in Titus County have been invited, and he hopes they all attend and offer their input.

Lee started the unprecedented process this year of holding bail bondsmen in default when their clients abscond, with two forfeiture hearings already held this year, in September and this past spring. | READ MORE

Bad Boys still bad at Sharks games, but Neil Young is worse

By Bruce Newman

bnewman@mercurynews.com
Updated: 10/15/2011 04:09:17 AM PDT

Bad Boys get front-row exposure during Sharks gameAfter a disheartening series of playoff flame-outs, the San Jose Sharks might have expected some restlessness from their home fans this season. But as the Sharks return to home ice Saturday for only the second time, the franchise already has suffered a pair of stinging defeats in the stands.

In hockey, it's customary for black eyes to be delivered on the ice, not by your own fans. These two shiners were delivered, in succession, by a self-promoting bail bondsman and rocker Neil Young. Separately, they thumbed their noses at the Sharks and got away with it, although Young probably shouldn't expect to sell a lot of records in San Jose this winter.

The team's management brought on the first fracas with an "enhanced" ticket policy, announced during the offseason, forbidding fans from using their seats to promote products or other "entities" -- then sent a warning letter to only one season ticket-holder: Bad Boys Bail Bonds co-owner Jeffrey Stanley. | READ MORE

New Bill to Benefit Bail Bond Industry

NC bill would benefit bail bonds industry
 By AP  | October 06, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A last minute tweak to a bill ratified during last month's three-day legislative session makes it easier for the state's bail bondsmen to recover money if a defendant skips court.

Critics say the new measure could encourage bondsmen to take on risker clients, potentially springing more dangerous criminals from jail and putting them on the streets.

State Rep. Justin Burr, R-Stanly, who is a bail bondsman, is listed as one of four primary sponsors of House Bill 335. He said this week he has no idea how the proposed change benefiting his industry ended up in legislation that originally dealt with prison maintenance. | Read More

Things you should know about bailing someone out of jail

Q. Why do we have to put up collateral?

A.Collateral is used to secure a surety bond. Collateral "secures" the performance of the appearance bond, and the appearance bond "secures" the appearance of the defendant to all of his court hearings. Collateral is returned upon the Court's exoneration of the bond. Depending on the location, collateral is required in every case; some states, such as Arizona, are collateral states.

Q. If I put my property up as collateral and a lien is placed on said property, how do I have the lien removed?

A.Once the defendant completes his/her court obligations and the bond is “exonerated,” you will be required to go to the clerk's window at the courthouse and get the exoneration of bond document showing that the liability to the bail bonding company has been concluded. It is your responsibility to get the form to your bail bonding company and request for the lien to be removed.

Please Note:
The bonding company will NOT remove the lien until they have received the OFFICIAL verification the bond has been exonerated; also the bonding company may require an additional fee before they can remove the lien.

Once the exoneration of bond has been received and all contractual fees have been paid, you will receive a “Full Reconveyance” document, usually within 30 days.

A common misconception we hear is the belief that once the bond is exonerated we receive our money back for the bond. This is incorrect.

The bail bonding company does not receive its money back once the bond is exonerated. Even if the case is never filed, the person who guarantees the premium is still responsible to pay the remaining balance until it is paid off.

Q. What are the legal percentages that a bonding company may charge and can they negotiate whatever dollar amount that they want?

A. The lowest legal limit that a bonding company may charge varies from state to state.

Q. What happens if the person I bail out “fails to appear” and the bonding company is unable to find him/her, the “fugitive?”

A. If a bail bonding company is unable to locate the client within a certain period of time from the forfeiture of the bail bond, the bail bonding company will have no other option but to pay the court the full face value of the bond written plus all applicable court and legal fees. The court will charge additional fees on top of the forfeited dollar amount. These rules vary from state to state.

If the bail bonding company is forced to pay the bond amount, plus fees, you, the guarantor of the bond, will be charged for all fees that you have contractually guaranteed.

Lack of Jail Space to Affect Bail Bonds

Jail space may affect bail bonds in Coryell CountyPosted On: Saturday, Jul. 23 2011 11:55 PMBy Philip Jankowski
Killeen Daily HeraldWhen justices of the peace set bail bond amounts for accused criminals, they take into account the nature of the charge, whether the person may be a flight risk and if the person may pose a danger to the community.

In Coryell County, justices of the peace may have to consider another factor — the lack of space at the Coryell County Jail.
Coryell County Judge John E. Firth said the undersized jail "significantly" affects bail bond amounts set by justices of the peace.
READ MORE

Bail Bond Services - We are Here to Help

Having a criminal record can make life a bit more difficult and people seem to treat you differently. Finding a job can be challenging as well when someone has a criminal history. However, people get arrested — whether guilty or innocent, and when that happens, obtaining bail is often a necessity.

Being bailed out of jail gives the defendant the opportunity to discuss their case with a lawyer, and to continue on with their normal, daily life.

If the bail amount is set at an affordable amount, the defendant may want to post the full bail amount with the court so that the funds can be returned at the conclusion of the case. However, in some cases bail is too large of a sum of money for the defendant to post on his own. The defendant or the defendant’s family will want to find a licensed bail bondsman who works with the jail in which they are being held.

When bail is needed, it’s important to find a bondsman that offers bail bonds 24-hours a day, as we offer at 24/7 Get Bail. It could be hours after the arrest before bail has been set. The bail bonds process can be complex and overwhelming to anyone that doesn’t deal with it on a daily basis. This is where the help of an expert bondsman will come in handy.

Once someone is arrested, they will be taken to either the police station or jail where they will go through the booking process. This process includes fingerprinting, photographs, and a background check and warrant search. If the charge is “bailable”, the amount of bail will be set and a court date will be given.

Once the bail amount is set, the defendant will be able to post bail. More often than not, bail is set higher than can be readily afforded by the defendant. If the bail isn’t paid, the defendant will wait in jail for the duration of the court case. Most people have lives that require them to be out of jail and this is when a bondsman is needed.

To get started with the process of hiring a bail bondsman, follow these steps:

The defendant, a friend, or loved one will contact the bail bondsman. At 24/7 Get Bail, we are available 24 hours a day to assist you. Explain your situation, your charges and your bail amount. One of our bail bond agents will assess the situation and decide the best way to assist you. Documents will be prepared for your signature, an the bail bond fee (called a “premium”) will have to be paid. It is important to know that the bail bond premium will not be returned, regardless of the outcome of the case.

Even after going through the bail process, the defendant still needs to go to all of their court dates and address the charges filed against them.

While being found guilty is always a possibility, it is often advisable to speake to an attorney. This is easier to do when the defendant isn’t sitting in jail.

Using a reliable bail bondsman at 24/7 Get Bail can help give a defendant the time they need to get the help that they need.

Arizona DUI Information for the 4th of July Weekend

Those driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the State Arizona can be charged with a DUI.

People who have a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more are in violation of the law. Anyone less than 21 years of age can be arrested for a DUI if alcohol of any amount is found in their blood alcohol content.  A second way to be arrested is if a law enforcement offers has detection that a driver has impaired abilities that are affecting the way they are driving.

Several other factors affect the penalties facing those arrested for a DUI in Arizona.  Those with a blood alcohol level at or exceeding 0.15% will be listed under the DUI extreme classification. A DUI arrest can be treated as a felony if someone was driving with an individual who was less than 15 years old at the time that they were arrested.  If a person was driving without a license at the time of their arrest (license revoked) or if they had more than one prior DUI arrest, they could also be charged with a felony.

The DMV in Arizona can suspend the license of those arrested for DUI. People will also have their license revoked if they refuse to take a blood or breath test.  On a first offense, an individual will lose their license for one year and will face a two year loss with a second DUI offense. First time offenders for DUI who do not refuse a blood or breath test will receive a 90 day suspension. 

Individuals arrested for DUI may also face criminal charges in court. They can waive their right to a jury of their peers.  If this right is not waived, there will be six jurors that will hear the DUI case in addition to the judge.  DUI convictions carry with them several potential penalties.

First time DUI offenders face fines of $250. Those convicted face ten days in jail, after which time they could receive probation that would not exceed five years.  A sentence may often be reduced but only if people will have an evaluation for a substance abuse problem. If it is deemed necessary, the individual must agree to receive treatment for any problems. If a first time offender has an extreme BAC, they face even harsher penalties, including a $1000 assessment fee for the DUI abatement account, and 30 days of jail time.

Second time offenders will pay $500 in fines not including the surcharge. An additional $1250 for assessment charges may also apply. Jail time can be as long as 90 days, although the sentence could be lessened to 30 days.  In order for this to happen, however, the convicted individual must be evaluated to find out if they have a substance abuse problem. If they do, they will be mandated to enter some type of treatment program.  Second time offenders also face driver's license suspensions lasting one year, after which time an ignition interlock system must be placed on their car. Probation can last as long as five years.

For those DUI offenders that are convicted of a felony rather than a misdemeanor charge, there are even more stringent penalties. Fines can become very high. In addition, those convicted of a felony DUI charge may serve a great deal of time in jail. Sentences could exceed ten years, and a minimum of four months must be served. Probation for a felony DUI charge can last as long as five years. A convicted party’s automobile may be forfeited and become government property. License suspension will be for three years. 

Penalties can be even more severe for those who tested for excessive blood alcohol content. Other factors may also be taken into consideration when deciding on sentencing for someone who has been arrested for a DUI.

Bail group touts job potential

By Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

June 18, 2011

Gov. Scott Walker promised he would create more jobs in Wisconsin.

The American Bail Coalition says it can help, with a privately run bail bonds system it says will create 1,500 jobs.

Last week, the budget the Senate handed Walker included a provision that would set up a system of bail bondsmen in Wisconsin. | Read More

The Reality of Bail Bonds Television

Author: Sandra Ryder

Through the proliferation of reality television, tens of millions of people have become voyeurs to society's previously unfamiliar segments.

The bail bonds industry, in particular, has been touched by this modern day phenomenon. A&E's smash hit, "Dog The Bounty Hunter", has made its protagonist, Duane "Dog" Chapman, a household name. The show put bail bonds and bounty hunting squarely in the collective living rooms, and conscience, of people around the world with its colorful characters and compelling story lines | Read more

Ledger-Enquirer.com | 06/20/2011 | Columbus police: Bondsmen lead police to drug bust involving high school student

Ledger-Enquirer.com 06/20/2011 Columbus police: Bondsmen lead police to drug bust involving high school student

Tips to Avoid Arrest

Anyone with any knowledge of the law knows that there are a variety of ways they can be arrested. It’s not too hard to stay away from arrest, though, if one simply avoids risky situations and uses good judgment.

Follow these simple tips, and you can avoid yourself the financial headaches of fees from the court, attorneys and bail bondsmen, as well as losing time on the job or possibly losing your job.

1. Simply Use Common Sense

When you find yourself in a compromising situation or something just doesn’t seem right, remove yourself from that situation. You never know how quickly things can go awry, so by avoiding situations that give you the wrong feeling, you can easily avoid the repercussions of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If things do go awry, treat police officers and other representatives of the law with respect.

2. Be a Good Driver

Put simply, be a good, lawful driver. Don’t drink and drive, get a designated driver or a cab. You can avoid DUIs, DWIs and car accidents this way. Also, don’t keep anything illegal in your car. Your car could be impounded if you’re pulled over and illegal items are discovered, and you could face multiple
charges.

3. Maintain Control When Drinking

When out drinking, maintain control of your situation. If you find yourself in a drunken argument or brawl, you could find yourself in the drunk tank or being charged with something you could have avoided.

4. Keep Your Presciption Drugs Labeled

Keep prescriptions drugs in the container they came in and do not mix medications in one container. That looks suspicious in the eyes of the law. Be aware of what substances are in your car at all times; you can be fined and face other prosecution even for what your passengers have in your vehicle.

5. Stay Home if Going Out is Risky

If you’re thinking of going somewhere that you know may present a compromising situation, don’t go. By hanging out at home, you can potentially avoid arrest.

6. Do Not Resist Arrest

Never accost a police officer. It will almost always result in additional offenses, and the police will not be on your side throughout the process. If you have issues with the way your arrest was handled, there may be a legal remedy.

7. Avoid Warrants

Obey the law. Pay all fines and show up to your court dates. Never ignore a ticket or a charge, take the appropriate steps immediately. If you don’t, a warrant for your arrest could be issued.

8. Don’t Steal

Businesses have a variety of security precautions in place to avoid theft. Stealing even a small item could cost you time and money that could have been spent on more constructive things. If you can’t afford something, wait until you can.

9. Know Weapons Laws

Make sure you know how to lawfully use and possess any weapons you may own. Register weapons and guns properly, and make sure you know what constitutes a weapon in the state where you live. Knowing the law can help you avoid legal trouble.

10. Follow Traffic Laws

A lot of crimes and punishments can be avoided if you don’t speed and you follow traffic laws. Oftentimes, multiple charges can result when a motorist is pulled over for breaking a traffic law.

Jail is a dangerous and unsafe place. Many innocent, non-dangerous defendants sit in jail every day that should be at home with their families. Often mistakes are made that will never be made again by individuals.
Allow us to help you through your time of need. Our staff is available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week to help you and your family even after we post bail. We will be by your side through the entire bail process and beyond.

How Bail Works in Arizona

Bail procedures are the same in all states across the United States. Bail works in Arizona in the same way that it works in every other state in the country.

Additionally, while many people have a loosely defined definition of what bail is, they might not understand exactly how it works. In order to understand how bail works, it is important to understand what bail is and why it is used.

Bail is used after a person has been arrested and booked. It is an amount of money that the courts will charge, as a refundable bond, in order to ensure that a defendant will complete his or her legal obligation to the courts by attending all trials and court appearances until the case is complete.

Bail is a monetary amount that is based on the crime that the defendant has been accused of committing. The amount of the bail varies based on the crime, but is generally the same across Arizona for all similar crimes. For example, bail for a DUI would be the same in Scottsdale as it is in Phoenix. However, additional factors, such as prior arrests, may increase an individual's bail amount.

It is important to note that bail is a refundable amount of money. The bail amount is held as a bond until the defendant completes the legal obligation to the courts. As soon as that obligation is complete, the amount of the bail is refunded to the payee of the bail.

When a defendant is unable to pay for bail on his or her own, the defendant may use the services of a bail bondsman with an Arizona bail bonds company such as 24/7 Get Bail or Better Bail Bonds.

A bail bondsman is responsible for paying for the total cost of the bail for the defendant. Bail bondsmen generally charge about ten percent of the total cost of the bail as a down payment for the services. This down payment is non-refundable, but can usually be paid by credit card, personal check, wire transfer, or a variety of other methods.

In order for the bail bonding company to get its money back after the defendant is released from jail, the defendant needs to complete the legal obligation to the courts. For this reason, bail bondsmen may track down fugitives if they fail to appear in court or if the bondsmen suspects that the fugitive may flee.

Once the defendant completes his or her legal obligation to the courts, the bondsman will receive a full refund of the bail amount, regardless of whether or not the defendant is innocent or guilty

5 Common Myths About Bail Bond Agents

The myths and urban legends surrounding bail agents go from those heart-pounding, action-packed tales that reality TV and movies of the week tell, to the simplistic, hum-drum “get ‘em danno” episodic television shows that seem real enough for the average person to believe.

The truth is, most of what you hear about bail bond agents is more fiction than fact. Here are a few popular myths about bail agents that have made impressions on Americans coast-to-coast.

Myth #1 – All Bail Agents are Bounty Hunters

Bounty hunters have become popular figures thanks to Dog the Bounty Hunter’s reality TV show. This show has also blurred the line between bail agents and bounty hunters, leading many to believe that the two are one and the same.

In truth, most bail agents are not bounty hunters. For most bail agents, there is no heart-pounding action, the chase is not on, and they don’t actively pursue fugitives like Dog the Bounty Hunter does on television.
For one thing, Dog is a fugitive recovery agent who catches criminals in exchange for monetary payment. Bail agents are responsible for writing bail bonds and ensuring that defendants show up in court, and they may hire bounty hunters to locate and apprehend fugitives.

Myth #2 – Bail Agents take a Defendant’s Money and Have No Responsibility

A bail agent is tasked with helping people post bail. When a person employs a bail agent to assist with their release, the premium paid (or fee for bail) works as insurance to the bail agent that the defendant will show up for court dates. The agreement is legal and binding, which means that there is no room for irresponsibility. In fact, if the defendant does not appear for court, the bail agent is liable for the entire bail amount, as set by the court system.

Myth #3 – All Bail Agents are Men

In the State of California alone, over half of the bail agents are women. There are at least 15,000 bail agents in the nation, half of whom are women.

Myth #4 – Bail Agents Operate Outside of the Law

This is probably the biggest myth of all. In order to be a fully functional bail agent, there is a plethora of ongoing training that the bail agent needs to be a part of. Additionally, there are a number of professional organizations that support and promote the bail profession. The Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS) association offers membership, information on the laws governing the profession and other tips on how to improve bail agents’ performance.

Myth #5 – All Bail Agents Operate Like they do in the Movies.

Films such as “The Hunter,” “Midnight Run,” “Pink Cadillac” and a host of others add that insatiable sense of adventure that moviegoers need in order to understand what may normally be seen as mundane dutie. Bail agents are actually entrepreneurs who have a passion for working within the boundaries of the law.

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Allow Better Bail Bonds and 24/7 Get Bail to help you through your time of need. Our staff is available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week to help you and your family even after we post bail. We will be by your side through the entire bail process and beyond.

Know Your Rights

Sometimes good people can get into bad situations, and being arrested is a stressful process for anyone.

You have to consider your legal rights, the need for obtaining a bail bond, and what to do if you are detained.

If you or someone you love is ever arrested, there are rights that every citizen has at the time of their arrest and after. These rights are provided by amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and cannot be waived by anyone other than you.

• You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say to or in the presence of your arresting officer can and will be used against you in court. If the officer asks you any questions, you have the right not to answer. It is always wise to provide identification and address information when requested.
  
• You have the right to legal counsel. You can request a lawyer the instant of your arrest, and there are laws which allow you the right to make a single phone call once you’ve arrived at a holding facility. These laws may vary by state. You can use this call to notify your family, request bail, or contact an attorney.
  
• You have the right to post bail. Under the law of the State of Arizona, bail can be posted by anyone on your behalf. Please note that laws regarding the posting of bail may vary from state to state. If you or your family cannot afford to post bail for you, a bail bonds agency can post bail on your behalf.

While you are free to exercise your rights in case of an arrest, make sure you avoid things you shouldn’t do. Cooperate with your arresting officer’s directions, do not challenge the officer, and contact your bail bondsman right away.

24/7 Get Bail and Better Bail Bonds can answer your questions about posting bail and can enable you to go home to your family.

Visit our website to see how we can help in the event that you or someone you know is arrested, or contact us at 1-800-GET-BAIL to exercise your rights.

What to look for in a Bail Bond Agent

When you, a loved one or a friend is placed under arrest, you may be given an opportunity to be released to wait at home until your trial begins. The court can decide to set bail; this amount of money can be paid to the court in exchange for temporary freedom. Once you or your loved one attends all of the mandatory court dates, the court will pay the bail amount back.

Bail is a system that benefits both the accused and the legal system. Instead of taking up space and money by spending time in jail until their trial dates, the accused are able to stay at home and prepare for their cases while the court saves taxpayer money by not having to keep the accused in jail.

Many people do not have the means to pay bail money completely on their own. Bail bondsmen are able to help these people by paying the majority of the bail amount in exchange for a small

percentage.

If you are in need of a bail bond agent, you should look for the following qualities:

• 24-hour, seven day a week service. Arrests can happen at anytime of the day or night, so it is important to find a bail bonds company that is available 24-hours a day, every day. This ensures that you or your loved ones will be able to leave jail as soon as possible.
• Great reputation. Word-of-mouth is important in the bail bonds business. This makes friends, family members, and neighbors all good resources. Ask your loved ones if they’ve used a bail bond services, or have known anyone that has used a bail bond service, and what services that bail bond agency offered.
• Mobile services. Many bail bond companies offer mobile services, letting you exchange information through fax and telephone conversations. This helps take some of the stress away from a very stressful situation. Bail bond agencies can also conduct all necessary paperwork in the field to be able to get your loved one out of jail as quickly as possible.

At 24/7 Get Bail and BetterBailbonds, we provide reliable, professional services to help you and your family during this difficult and overwhelming time. Let our family help your family today!

All About Bail Bonds

When an individual is arrested for a crime, they are typically taken to the local police station for booking.  In some cases, they may be transported to the local county jail.  Once processed, most defendants have the right to bail pending their court trial.

There are four ways a defendant can be released from jail:

• Cash Bail - a person can post the full bail amount in cash with the court
• Surety Bond - a Bail Bondsman can post a bond with the court / jail
• Property Bond - a person can "put-up" their property in the form of a lien 
• Own Recognizance (OR) - a Deputy or Jail Staff can recommend the release of an individual on their own recognizance

A bail bond (surety bond)  is a monetary guarantee with the court in which the defendant is temporarily placed in the custody of the posting Bail Agency. Bail Agencies such as 247GetBail and Better Bail Bonds, promise the court that the defendant will appear each and every time they are ordered to do so until the conclusion of their court case.

To secure a Bail Bond for your loved one, friend or family member, they will need to have a "Co-Signer." A Co-Signer or Indemnitor is responsible for defendant appearing in court each time they are ordered to do so.  They are also responsible for payment of any court costs, surrender costs and full bail amount for non-appearance should the defendant fail to appear and the court forfeits the bond.

Bail amounts are based on a Bail Schedule which is a list of offenses and dollar amounts set by a judge. Bail is regulated by The State of Arizona Department of Insurance.  ALL Bail Bond companies must charge the same rate.  The standard charge or “Premium” for bail is 10% of the total bond amount.  Example: If the bond amount is $10,000, the premium will be $1,000.  This is the amount the person posting the bond must pay. Collateral may be required for larger bond amounts.

If a person does not appear for their court date, the court will issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest and notify the bail bond agency of their failure to appear. If this happens, the bail bond agency can either assist with reinstating the bail with the court or with the surrender of the defendant back to custody.

Call us at 24/7 Get Bail or at Better Bail Bonds for additional information on bail bonding and how can we help you in your time of need.