Accused Rapist Free On Unsecured Bond?

Two North Carolina judges agreed to release Wayne Ford, an accused rapist, kidnapper and burglar on an unsecured bond with electronic monitoring. Prior to his June 25th arrest, Ford was arrested and charged for robbery in April. He was released on bond without having to put any money or property down. A local Charlotte, NC bondsman was shocked by the decision, but says pretrial release is becoming more prevalent as Mecklenburg County’s jail continues to be overcrowded.  Read More →

10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Bail Business

Improving your bail business can be as easy as a fresh coat of paint! The bail industry can be very challenging to break into, but a properly managed agency can be very lucrative. There are a number of things that bail bondsmen must do to ensure professionalism and success. 1. Answer your phone. At the risk of offending or being redundant, we are going to preach the obvious. Answer your phone. Making sure your calls get answered is the easiest and least expensive way of gaining more business. You may have to forward your calls to your cell phone,... Read more

Taser Shock Ignites Man

An Australian man who doused himself in gasoline caught on fire after being tazed by police officers. Australian police officers had received a report that a man and his friends had been sniffing glue. When they approached the house, a man began running towards them with a lighter and a container of gasoline. Despite the officers’ orders for the man to stop, the man continued his dash towards them, which is when an officer fired his taser. The man then burst into flames. As the officer tried to extinguish the man, a woman from inside the house... Read more

NY Considering Charging Wealthy Convicts for Incarceration Costs

The New York state legislator introduced the “Madoff” bill Monday, July 20, 2009, that would require wealthy convicts to pay for the cost of their incarceration. The state of New York estimates that counties spend almost $1 billion a year to keep prisoners in jail. At $80 to $90 a day, they hope this bill will pass some of this cost along to wealthy convicts that can afford the fee. If a convict has over $200,000 in assets, not including their home or equity in their home, alimony, child support payments or tax bills, they will be responsible... Read more

Convicted Defrauder Gets 2 Years for Skipping Bail

Samuel Israel, a convicted defrauder and hedge fund swindler, was sentenced to two additional years in prison after a wild 2008 fugitive attempt that involved him faking his own death. Israel had swindled investors out of $450 million. Israel will now serve 22 years in prison.  Read More →

Tying Your Social Media Together

You’ve started experimenting with social media. You’re listening, you’re networking, you’re even writing a blog… now what? It’s time to tie all your social media efforts together to get the most out of the content you are creating and sharing. While the different sites are updated individually with different goals in mind, they should work together to promote your business. First, analyze what is working for you and what is not. Do you have commercials for your bail company? Having a YouTube channel makes sense,... Read more

Will FCC Allow States to Jam Cell Phone Signals in Prisons?

South Carolina Corrections Director Jon Ozmint filed a petition with the FCC on June 13, 2009, with signatures from correction directors in 25 other states. This petition is asking the FCC to allow individual states to jam or disable cell phone signals within prisons. While inmates are not allowed to have cell phones, one smuggled cell phone can allow prisoners to make unmonitored calls arranging for more crimes to be committed, including the potential of harrassing or intimidating witnesses. Currently, only federal agencies are allowed to authorize... Read more

Man Being Held on $1 Million Bail Escapes

A North Carolina man that was being held for drug charges on at least $1 million in bail escaped after switching paperwork with another inmate. Jonathan Staton was charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and marijuana, felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of marijuana and seven counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. Ricky Bryant, the man Staton switched paperwork with, was charged with something domestic related. Staton... Read more

How Not to Pay Bail: Credit Card Fraud

Police say it is a novel way of posting bond: Corey Nathan Hobbs, a gang member, posted bail through a credit card number his sister allegedly stole while working for a bank. Police were tipped off to the scheme when Hobbs was speaking with his sister, Candace Ann Hobbs, about a credit card that had been rejected. Candace allegedly told Hobbs the second credit card would work because the persons who owned the card were in Jamaica on holiday. The call was recorded, as all calls made from jail are. However, Hobbs had been released by the time the... Read more

Lawsuit Claims Bail Bonds Firm Overcharged Immigrants

A lawsuit has been filed against AAA Bonding Agency, alleging that the company charged immigrants excessively for bail. Former clients now suing the company claim the bond firm charged immigrants up to 30% over and above the standard rate the company had filed with Texas regulators. In addition to charging larger fees, the bond company allegedly did not file the correct paperwork in relation to the higher rates on these cases, which is violation of insurance regulations. Attorneys are seeking class action status for the lawsuit.  Read More →

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