Keep Bailing

This week, we read about the effects of a downturned economy on bail bondsmen in Imperial Valley and in San Bernardino. There’s no doubt this tough economy has played some part in our bail bond industry. Like any other business, bail bond customers now have less money and their homes are worth less as collateral than a couple of years ago. The jails are becoming overcrowded and I hear clients say: “With the economy the way it is, we’re going to let him stay in jail.”

As bondsmen, we’ve already been fighting a singular economic battle for some time, because we can’t compete based on price — we’re regulated by the Department of Insurance and are rates are set with them. In addition, our customers may not be very particular:  They often just want to deal with whoever can help them the fastest.

It used to be that good, honest service was the benchmark of a successful bail bond business.  Call me old fashioned, but I still believe this to be true and I really get steamed when I find myself up against bondsmen who break the law to earn a buck – and who then use bad economic times as their excuse.  So I’d like to dispel the belief that their practices have anything to do with a lousy economy.  I want to Read more »

The downturn in our economy  has impacted so many industries, it’s almost impossible to identify how the ‘trickle down’ has effected one in relation to another. The Victor Valley Daily Press reported yesterday on one Hisperia bail bondsman forced to close the doors last week.

In the world of bail bonds, unemployment as well as lost credit and housing devaluation has made it increasingly difficult for people to bail out their family members Read more »

Wonder what happens when a defendant is late for court?

When you bail someone out of jail, you take responsibility to make sure they show up for their court appearance. We tell people all the time, courts understand small mistakes like traffic, illness or trouble finding the courtroom. However, that doesn’t mean judges like it.

Such may have been the case in San Bernardino Superior Court this week where the judge issued arrest warrants and set bail at $200,000 for two defendants who weren’t present in his court when he call their case at 8:36 am. They were due in court at 8:30. The defendants Read more »

“Will the bail be decreased at court?” That’s a question we get quite often. Usually, it’s asked when someone is comptemplating should I bail out my friend? Well, the judge has all the lattitude. No, the judge will not automatically lower bail when the defendant goes to court. The judge may increase bail, decrease bail, leave it the same, or change to “no bail.”

Such may have been the question of Allegra Fromby a former elementary school vice president was out on bail in San Bernardino County for $75K. She had been charged with two counts of felony drug possession. At her court appearance on 9/14, her bail was Read more »