Keep Bailing

In a movie that has been years in the pre-production making, actress, Katherine Heigl has signed on to play Janet Evanovitch’s best selling book character, Stephanie Plum in the upcoming film, One For The Money.

The hit Stephanie Plum book series by Evanovitch have created quite a stir. Her latest, Sizzling Sixteen, is already a New York Times best seller. Working for her cousin Vinnie at “Vincent Plum Bail Bonds”, Plum is less than realistic young bounty hunter, but is more than lovable in spunky, heroic way to Evanovitch’s following.

Katherine Heigl has pushed to Read more »

Pre-trial Release is what some states call their “Own Recognizance” (OR) release program. Defendants are released without bail, without monitoring of a bondsman, without support of a friend or family member willing to help fulfill a promise to appear in court.

Proponents site savings in jail costs, but it’s a huge problem for public safety. Release on “OR” has a significant place in the legal system, but that place is not to relieve overcrowding.

Here’s a look at some of the problems. It’s five minutes, long by Internet standards. But, it’s a good five minute education.

Actor Randi Quaid and his wife, Evi, don’t seem to be very good at math.  Last summer, the Quaids were accused of not paying the bill for their stay at the exclusive San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif.  The couple allegedly tried to  use an invalid credit card to pay, then argued with the concierge and stormed off after their card was refused.  The hotel bill cost them $10,000.

But that hotel bill was nothing compared to what reportedly happened next.  Since the law-challenged couple failed to appear at a December 15 scheduled hearing in California, the judge immediately deemed them felony fugitives.  “The court forfeited the bail bonds that had been posted and issued new warrants for $40,000 each,” Lee Carter of the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office said.  “If the [bail bondsman] wants  his money, Read more »

First fraudulently obtaining bail bonds, now lying to the police and worse: J.C. Mullins, Jr., of Abingdon Bail Bonds, reportedly engaged four thugs, one of whom he had bailed out, to find one a “skip” — someone who failed to appear in court on a bail bond.

According to the Bristol Harold Currier, three people are charged with abduction, robbery, impersonating a law enforcement officer, conspiracy and sexual battery and a fourth is charged as an accessory after they posed as drug enforcement agents and pulled a woman from her car, hand-cuffed her, strip searched her and turned her over to Mullins. This is behavior that reputable bounty hunters wouldn’t engage in.

As we reported back in July, Mullins Read more »

A Louisanna woman who bailed her son out of jail for suspected domestic violence (who subsequently didn’t show up for court) claims that she had her rights violated by the bail bondsman.  The woman says that the bondsman and local police officers invaded her privacy and put fear in her. Well, anyone would feel this way if armed persons knocked on your door, entered your house, told you to step outside, and proceeded to search your house, right?

Of course, but let’s step in to a bail bondsman’s shoes. Read more »

I am not a Dog the Bounty Hunter fan, per se. However, when people first find out that I’m a bail bondsman the question of “Dog” inevitably comes up. So, I follow Duane Chapman, aka “The Dog”, to some limited extent.

I recently ran across an article where I learned something new about Chapman - a Tony Robbins influence:

Chapman also said that, besides religion, “my changing point was Anthony Robbins.”

When they first met, he says, Robbins said to him: “You’re the greatest challenge of my life.” They embarked on a partnership Read more »

Segars had been out on $100,000 bail bond. While out on bail, the bondsman guarantees to the court that the defendant will show up in court. In this case, Segars did show up for court and plead guilty to first degree burglary, financial elder abuse and diversion of construction funds. He did not, however, show up for sentancing on June 24.

When a defendant doesn’t show up for court – called “failure to appear,” Read more »

Oregon: Go To Jail, Stay There

As a former Oregonian, I find it interesting that the state legislator is finally considering allowing bail bond companies to operate in the state of Oregon. While Oregon alllows for bail, bail bond companies have been unable to operate in Oregon since 1974. Only four states in the US do not allow bondsman. HB 2682 would require an interim committee to study the issue prior to the next legislative session. Allowing bondsmen should allow more people to get out on bail while being overseen by bondsmen, relieving pressure in jails while providing assurances for return to court.

Oregon: Skipping Bail? Go There

Apparently, HB 2682 specifically is written to permit sureties to offer commercial surety release (or, in plain English, bondsman can provide bail bonds for a fee). Unfortunately, Oregon’s fugutive laws Read more »