Bringing Unity to the Nation’s Bail Industry

For nearly three decades, the Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS) association has been a haven for the bail industry to learn, network and even get bailed out with advice when thorny issues or situations arise. Founded in 1981 and based in Washington, D.C., PBUS focuses on arming members with the up-to-date information and education needed to survive and thrive in the ever-changing bail industry. PBUS counts the majority of bail companies in the United States as members, which means the association supports most of the country’s... Read more

Government to Expand Efforts Against International Crime

The US plans on cracking down on international crime. The Justice Department is stepping up efforts to combat international organized crime, which, according to Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, poses a greater threat to the United States in many respects than did the traditional Mafia.  The Justice Department has drafted a new strategy to combat international organized crime, a summary of which was released in April. In a speech that day at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington [D.C.] think tank, the Attorney General... Read more

Don’t Let Pretrial Services Attack the Bail Industry

The National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies has released the first issue of their “Advocacy Brief.” Entitled “The Truth About Commercial Bail Bonding in America,” this article is filled with specious claims that spin facts and figures to support the abolition of commercial bonding. The 10 page document, available online, paints the commercial bail system as a money-hungry monster who cares little about community or justice. Labeled “Facts & Positions,” this paper consistently falls back on the argument... Read more

Safety Comes First in the Bail Industry

Safety first is the most important rule of thumb in the bail industry.  Yet despite the best-laid plans, those in the bail industry may find themselves in situations where their safety could be jeopardized.  For bail agents and fugitive recovery agents, safety can take the form of reasoning, martial arts or use of weapons. Many of the defense mechanisms bail agents or fugitive recovery agents choose to use are largely based on personality, experience and intuition.  When individuals were polled in the AboutBail.com Yahoo! Group regarding the... Read more

Spotlight on Denver Bail Agencies

You may not know it, but Collateral is based in Denver, Colorado.  We decided to take a look around our neighborhood and share pictures of our favorite local bail agencies.  Next month we’ll be featuring the agencies of our readers!  We already have some great pictures lined up - if you would like your agency to be included, send us pictures along with your company name, address, and telephone number to info@collateralmag.com.  We can’t promise every picture will make it, but we’ll try our best to include as many as we can! Denver... Read more

The World of Bail Enforcement

William “Moose” Moseley has seen more of the world than many people can dream of. He has seen more countries than states – partially due to his work in the military – and he uses his background to make sound choices while working in bail enforcement. He has to make hard choices about taking cases in states where the rules and regulations are not kind to bail enforcement agents, and has learned hard lessons about who to do business with. Moseley has had what he terms a “very dirty trick” played on him. On occasion, he has gone looking... Read more

One Message, Thousands of Voices

Why Every Bail Bond Agent Should be an Association Member When Linda Braswell started working in the bail industry, more than 35 years ago, she became the youngest female bail agent ever licensed in the state of Florida. At that time there were very few women in the profession, and the industry’s image was what she described as “much seedier.” Braswell knew she wanted to make a difference, and that knowledge would be the key. “I wanted to know all I could,” said Braswell. “Local, state and national associations are about information... Read more

Andrew Marocchini: Changing the Face of the Connecticut Bail Industry

Andrew Marocchini Andrew Marocchini began his career working as a salesperson for CBS radio, but knew from the start that he didn’t want to spend his days working in a corporate atmosphere. “I started being a bondsman on the weekends in college,” said Marocchini. “I always did it to earn extra money. I didn’t really enjoy the corporate life; so, when I had the opportunity to purchase the company, I did with the intent to build it up.” Marocchini purchased a pre-existing bail bond company that was in trouble —... Read more

Decrease in Accountability Hurts Community’s Safety

"Criminals are walking the streets without the appropriate safeguards to protect our community's safety." What would happen if the criminal-justice system - in an attempt to cut costs and reduce jail overcrowding - released child abusers, felony drug users, illegal immigrants, people charged with domestic violence and car thieves from jail? Even worse, what if you knew that these people weren’t being closely monitored? What if there was a better solution - one that still relieves jail overcrowding, but also has a significantly... Read more

Safety Tips for Fugitive Recovery Agents

Follow these tips to stay safe working as a fugitive recovery agent. Fugitive recovery is a dangerous profession. It should not be attempted by any individual who has not been specifically trained to overcome encounters in the field. These are a few safety tips to help you be safe. Training Each agent must train on his own or with other agents daily. This training is paramount to surviving a deadly encounter. Exercises should include: cardio, strength and endurance. In addition, perishable skills such as self defense, arrest methods, building... Read more