Here's how being bail bondsman works
By Peggy Judd
[Tagline]
Published Sunday, June 06, 2010 11:00 PM
By Peggy Judd
For the Salisbury Post
The first form of bail bondsmen were wealthy landowners or farmers who would post bail for their incarcerated neighbors, pledging with their money that the neighbor would show up for his trial.
Today, a bond agent must have a clean criminal background check and good credit to be licensed by the N.C. Department of Insurance.
A "professional" bail agent uses his own funds, held in trust, for bail fees. A "surety" bond agent works with various state insurance companies who underwrite the bail fee, though the bond agent is solely responsible for the fee.
Many agents carry both titles.
In brief, a person who is arrested and has to post bail to be released can enlist the help of a bond agent, or bondsman. The defendant agrees to pay the bondsman a fee up front for his services.
The fee for the bail bond is not more than 15 percent of the total bail amount.
The client is required to have a third party involved as a co-signer. The bondsman posts the bail fee with the agreement that the fee will be released when the defendant returns to court for trial.
U.S. Constitutional law states that when this person is released on bail, he is released into the custody of the bail bondsman, and the bondsman can take him back into custody at any time and return him to the custody of the sheriff.
There are seven rules that, if broken, give a bondsman reason to bring a defendant back into custody before the appointed court date. These include leaving the county or state without permission and giving false information about identity or other personal information.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Choosing the Right Bail Bondsman
Choosing the Right Bail Bondsman
Posted by Louis On June - 7 - 2010
When you have a loved one in jail, your first instinct will be to get them out right away. You could post bail yourself, but as you know, some courts tend to post excessive bail. They’re not supposed to, but honestly, how many times do you hear of a judge setting bail at one million dollars for a family who couldn’t even produce a fraction of that?
Bail bondsmen exist to help individuals post bail when they simply cannot do so themselves. It is not free of course. You will need to put down a bit of collateral, but by using a bail bondsman, you will be able to pay large amounts of bail that you wouldn’t be able to cover otherwise.
After the case is close, the bail money will, of course, be returned to the bail bondsman, and you may receive some of your collateral back, depending on the agreement you made. This sounds like a great deal, but it is important to make sure you actually choose the right bail bond Tampa agency. The city of Tampa has plenty of bail bond agencies, but which one should you use? How can you tell a good one from a bad one? It’s pretty simple actually.
The bail bond company needs to be completely open with you as to what it is doing. In the past, these agencies have been run by rather unprofessional individuals and this is what ultimately gave them a bad name. A good bail bond agency will walk you through every step of the process, and let you know about any developments, whether they are good or bad.
There are many things to take into consideration when you are choosing a bail bonds agency, and with that being the case, you need to do your research and even compare prices. Remember that just because a company has a low price does not mean they are reputable. You should expect to pay a decent price, especially if you want good service. In other words, this can be an expensive process, but it is much better than the alternative, which would be your loved one or friend sitting in jail until their court date. So start looking for good bail bonds Tampa agencies today, because while you might not actually need one right now, there is a chance you will need one later. It’s impossible to tell when the unexpected might occur.
Posted by Louis On June - 7 - 2010
When you have a loved one in jail, your first instinct will be to get them out right away. You could post bail yourself, but as you know, some courts tend to post excessive bail. They’re not supposed to, but honestly, how many times do you hear of a judge setting bail at one million dollars for a family who couldn’t even produce a fraction of that?
Bail bondsmen exist to help individuals post bail when they simply cannot do so themselves. It is not free of course. You will need to put down a bit of collateral, but by using a bail bondsman, you will be able to pay large amounts of bail that you wouldn’t be able to cover otherwise.
After the case is close, the bail money will, of course, be returned to the bail bondsman, and you may receive some of your collateral back, depending on the agreement you made. This sounds like a great deal, but it is important to make sure you actually choose the right bail bond Tampa agency. The city of Tampa has plenty of bail bond agencies, but which one should you use? How can you tell a good one from a bad one? It’s pretty simple actually.
The bail bond company needs to be completely open with you as to what it is doing. In the past, these agencies have been run by rather unprofessional individuals and this is what ultimately gave them a bad name. A good bail bond agency will walk you through every step of the process, and let you know about any developments, whether they are good or bad.
There are many things to take into consideration when you are choosing a bail bonds agency, and with that being the case, you need to do your research and even compare prices. Remember that just because a company has a low price does not mean they are reputable. You should expect to pay a decent price, especially if you want good service. In other words, this can be an expensive process, but it is much better than the alternative, which would be your loved one or friend sitting in jail until their court date. So start looking for good bail bonds Tampa agencies today, because while you might not actually need one right now, there is a chance you will need one later. It’s impossible to tell when the unexpected might occur.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Published info about PG County Jail
The Circuit Court for Prince George's County is part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which includes Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties. The Circuit Court is the general jurisdiction trial Court that has full common law equity powers in all civil and criminal cases, along with additional powers and jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution. Its jurisdiction is very broad, as it may also decide appeals from the District Court and certain administrative agencies.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program
Welcome to the home page of the DSHS program that registers and regulates Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors in Texas. This website contains information about these professionals including licensure requirements, how to file a complaint, how to contact our office, and more.
This program also registers Counselor Interns, and Clinical Training Institutions (CTIs), which are facilities authorized to provide substance abuse treatment in which registered Counselor Interns may gain the clinical experience needed to become Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors.
For all other information related to Substance Abuse, please see the DSHS Substance Abuse home page: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/sa
This program also registers Counselor Interns, and Clinical Training Institutions (CTIs), which are facilities authorized to provide substance abuse treatment in which registered Counselor Interns may gain the clinical experience needed to become Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors.
For all other information related to Substance Abuse, please see the DSHS Substance Abuse home page: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/sa
Protecting Society & Reducing Crime
The Federal Bureau of Prisons protects society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The mission of the Department of Corrections is to
* Protect the safety of the citizens of Prince George's County by securing, in a humane environment, offenders legally entrusted to our custody and care, and to provide viable alternatives to incarceration.
* Provide opportunities whereby offenders are equipped with the skills to assist them in functioning as productive members of society.
* Promote staff development and training that ensures the maintenance of a safe, pleasant, clean and professional work environment.
* Provide opportunities whereby offenders are equipped with the skills to assist them in functioning as productive members of society.
* Promote staff development and training that ensures the maintenance of a safe, pleasant, clean and professional work environment.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Montgomery County Detention Center
The Montgomery County Detention Center (MCDC) is responsible for the intake and processing of adult male and female offenders and will maintain a capacity of up to 200 inmates. Approximately 16,000 offenders annually arrive at the Central Processing Unit, providing psychological screening, medical screening, and risk assessment to determine the appropriate classification level of inmates and provides for initial care custody, and security of inmates for up to 72 hours prior to transfer to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF).
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Remission
Within 90 days from the date the defendant fails to appear, which time the court may extend to 180 days upon good cause shown, a surety shall satisfy any order of forfeiture, either by producing the defendant in court or by paying the penalty sum of the bond.
If the defendant is produced within such time by the State, the court shall require the surety to pay the expenses of the State in producing the defendant and shall treat the order of forfeiture satisfied with respect to the remainder of the penalty sum.
When the defendant is produced in court after the 90 or 180-day period (if extended), the surety may apply for the refund of any penalty sum paid in satisfaction of the forfeiture less any expenses permitted by law. If the penalty sum has not been paid, the court, on application of the surety and payment of any expenses permitted by law, shall strike the judgment against the surety entered as a result of the forfeiture.
If, within the 90 or 180-day period (if extended), the surety produces evidence and the court finds that the defendant is incarcerated in a penal institution outside this State and that the State's Attorney is unwilling to issue a detainer and subsequently extradite the defendant, the court shall strike out the forfeiture and shall return the bond or collateral security to the surety.
If, after the expiration of the 90 or 180-day period (if extended), but within 10 years from the date the bond or collateral was posted, the surety produces evidence and the court finds that the defendant is incarcerated in a penal institution outside this State and that the State's Attorney is unwilling to issue a detainer and subsequently extradite the defendant, the court shall (i) strike out the forfeiture; (ii) set aside any judgment thereon; and (iii) order the return of the forfeited bond or collateral or the remission of any penalty sum paid. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)3]
If the defendant is produced within such time by the State, the court shall require the surety to pay the expenses of the State in producing the defendant and shall treat the order of forfeiture satisfied with respect to the remainder of the penalty sum.
When the defendant is produced in court after the 90 or 180-day period (if extended), the surety may apply for the refund of any penalty sum paid in satisfaction of the forfeiture less any expenses permitted by law. If the penalty sum has not been paid, the court, on application of the surety and payment of any expenses permitted by law, shall strike the judgment against the surety entered as a result of the forfeiture.
If, within the 90 or 180-day period (if extended), the surety produces evidence and the court finds that the defendant is incarcerated in a penal institution outside this State and that the State's Attorney is unwilling to issue a detainer and subsequently extradite the defendant, the court shall strike out the forfeiture and shall return the bond or collateral security to the surety.
If, after the expiration of the 90 or 180-day period (if extended), but within 10 years from the date the bond or collateral was posted, the surety produces evidence and the court finds that the defendant is incarcerated in a penal institution outside this State and that the State's Attorney is unwilling to issue a detainer and subsequently extradite the defendant, the court shall (i) strike out the forfeiture; (ii) set aside any judgment thereon; and (iii) order the return of the forfeited bond or collateral or the remission of any penalty sum paid. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)3]
Friday, January 29, 2010
Defenses to Forfeiture
If the defendant or surety can show reasonable grounds for the defendant's failure to appear. the court shall (A) strike out the forfeiture in whole or in part; and (B) set aside any judgment entered thereon. and (C) order the remission in whole or in part of the penalty sum paid pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)2]
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Forfeiture to Judgment
If an order of forfeiture has not been stricken or satisfied within 90 days after the defendant's failure to appear, or within 180 days if the time has been extended, the clerk shall forthwith:
Enter the order of forfeiture as a judgment in favor of the governmental entity that is entitled by statute to receive the forfeiture and against the defendant and surety, if any, for the amount of the penalty sum of the bail bond, with interest from the date of forfeiture and costs including any costs of recording, less any amount that may have been deposited as collateral security; and
Cause the judgment to be recorded and indexed among the civil judgment records of the circuit court of the county; and
Prepare, attest, and deliver or forward to any bail bond commissioner appointed pursuant to Rule 16-817, to the State's Attorney, to the Chief Clerk of the District Court, and to the surety, if any, a true copy of the docket entries in the cause, showing the entry and recording of the judgment against the defendant and surety, if any.
Enforcement of the judgment shall be by the State's Attorney in accordance with those provisions of the rules relating to the enforcement of judgments. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)4]
Enter the order of forfeiture as a judgment in favor of the governmental entity that is entitled by statute to receive the forfeiture and against the defendant and surety, if any, for the amount of the penalty sum of the bail bond, with interest from the date of forfeiture and costs including any costs of recording, less any amount that may have been deposited as collateral security; and
Cause the judgment to be recorded and indexed among the civil judgment records of the circuit court of the county; and
Prepare, attest, and deliver or forward to any bail bond commissioner appointed pursuant to Rule 16-817, to the State's Attorney, to the Chief Clerk of the District Court, and to the surety, if any, a true copy of the docket entries in the cause, showing the entry and recording of the judgment against the defendant and surety, if any.
Enforcement of the judgment shall be by the State's Attorney in accordance with those provisions of the rules relating to the enforcement of judgments. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)4]
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Notice of Forfeiture
If a defendant fails to appear as required, the court shall order forfeiture of the bail bond and issuance of a warrant for the defendant's arrest. The clerk shall promptly notify any surety on the defendant's bond, and the State's Attorney, of the forfeiture of the bond and the issuance of the warrant. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Defenses to Forfeiture
If the defendant or surety can show reasonable grounds for the defendant's failure to appear. the court shall (A) strike out the forfeiture in whole or in part; and (B) set aside any judgment entered thereon. and (C) order the remission in whole or in part of the penalty sum paid pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(i)2]
Monday, January 4, 2010
Bail Agent's Arrest Authority
These are [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(h)]
A surety on a bail bond who has custody of a defendant may procure the discharge of the bail bond at any time before forfeiture by:
delivery of a copy of the bond and the amount of any premium or fee received for the bond to the court in which the charges are pending or to a commissioner in the county in which the charges are pending who shall thereupon issue an order committing the defendant to the custodian of the jail or detention center; and
delivery of the defendant and the commitment order to the custodian of the jail or detention center, who shall thereupon issue a receipt for the defendant to the surety.
Unless released on a new bond, the defendant shall be taken forthwith before a judge of the court in which the charges are pending.
On motion of the surety or any person who paid the premium or fee, and after notice and opportunity to be heard, the court may by order award to the surety an allowance for expenses in locating and surrendering the defendant, and refund the balance to the person who paid it. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(h)]
A surety on a bail bond who has custody of a defendant may procure the discharge of the bail bond at any time before forfeiture by:
delivery of a copy of the bond and the amount of any premium or fee received for the bond to the court in which the charges are pending or to a commissioner in the county in which the charges are pending who shall thereupon issue an order committing the defendant to the custodian of the jail or detention center; and
delivery of the defendant and the commitment order to the custodian of the jail or detention center, who shall thereupon issue a receipt for the defendant to the surety.
Unless released on a new bond, the defendant shall be taken forthwith before a judge of the court in which the charges are pending.
On motion of the surety or any person who paid the premium or fee, and after notice and opportunity to be heard, the court may by order award to the surety an allowance for expenses in locating and surrendering the defendant, and refund the balance to the person who paid it. [MD Rules, Rule 4-217(h)]
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