Bail Bondsman Life

An assortment of content for people in or influenced by the bail bonds and fugitive recovery industry.

Why Work With a Bail Bonds Agency to Secure a Loved One’s Jail Release?

Bail Agent X

Bail bond agencies advocate on your behalf

Being arrested can be a very traumatic experience, not just for the person being arrested but for their loved ones as well. No one is immune to finding themselves or someone they love in this situation. LIFE HAPPENS! A bail bonds agency can help reunite a defendant with their loved ones, but families may not have the resources on hand to pay for bail.

A bail bonds agency can help reunite a defendant with their loved ones,

Working with a bail bond agency can help secure a friend or family member’s release without straining your finances.

What exactly do bail bondsmen do?

Bail Bonds Los Angeles

What exactly does a bondsman do? There have been films and television shows about the profession, but their basis in reality is up for debate.

That depends on the bail amount the judge sets. In Kern County, there is a bail schedule with a recommended bail amount listed for each crime.

For example, $50,000 is the recommended bail amount for carjacking, $25 for residential burglary. Some crimes, like murder, can result in bail of $1 million or the defendant being held without bail. Enhancements and prior convictions can result in higher bail.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s say the judge set bail at $10,000.

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The Life of a Bail Bondsman

Bail Bonds Los Angeles

TOLEDO, Ohio — The profession of a bail bondsman has evolved over the last 20 years, but it’s still a fairly small one. Franklin Frazier has been a bondsman for the last 14 years and has seen his industry change.

“To keep a long story short, I went to school for nursing and was playing football and realized football wasn’t going to work out,” Frazier said. “So, I looked into being a state marshal, there was a hiring freeze at the time. I did more research and ended up stumbling upon bounty hunting.”

“It’s become part of me, it’s the adrenaline,” Frazier said. “I love being out and dealing with people, I’m always constantly dealing with people. I’m a people person and you work on your own time. I’m always on the go and I like being busy. When I’m sitting still, I feel like I’m going crazy.”

Despite the slang term ‘bounty hunting’ being popularized, the industry was only professionalized in 2001.

Mary Smith, the managing general agent for Smith Bonds & Surety in Rossford said now, the job requires specific training and licenses.

In fact, in Ohio, it’s technically against the law to use the term ‘bounty hunter’.

“It’s to not confuse people who come in and try to pretend like they are bounty hunters to go and knock on doors and it’s trying to professionalize the industry and bring it to a more respectful industry,” Smith said.

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What happens after someone gets arrested?

BAIL AGENT X

So you or someone you love just got arrested

Each state and jurisdiction may vary, but typically this is how it goes down…

After someone gets arrested, a suspect will make their first appearance at a preliminary hearing, which typically occurs the next business day following their arrest, not counting weekends and holidays.

At a preliminary hearing, a judge decides if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed a crime based on evidence provided by law enforcement or the prosecuting attorney. Probable cause must be determined no later than 48 hours following a person’s arrest.

If a judge finds probable cause, the next step is deciding if the suspect should be held in detention, released on their recognizance, or released with conditions if personal recognizance is not enough to guarantee that a suspect will show up for their next court date.

If the court finds there is a “substantial danger” the accused will commit a violent crime, try to intimidate witnesses, or otherwise interfere with the administration of justice while out on bail, a judge can choose to order the defendant remain in detention. The court can consider the accused’s criminal history, the nature of the charges, the accused’s record of threats to victims or witnesses, the accused’s record of using deadly weapons or firearms and the accused’s history of committing crimes while released pre-trial when making that decision.

 

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How many bail agents are in the state of California?

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Every wonder how many licensed bail agents are in the state of California?

Probably not as many as you would think!

Currently, there are approximately 2,300 bail agents and organizations in California licensed to cover the entire state of California! Professional Bail Agents go through exhaustive training, testing and a very thourogh background examination before they can be issued a state license. Futhremore, they have to maintain a clean background and do continuing education throughout the year.

Bail Agents are a very competitive family that are essential to our system of law.

Be a bail X-pert! How Courts Work

Bail Agent Expert

In California, the courts are divided into 2 systems: federal and state. There is also the system of tribal courts, which are part of the Native American reservation system. And there is a system of administrative hearings to help resolve disputes when a local or state government agency takes an action against an individual or business. This section explains the different types of courts in California and gives you an overview of how court cases work.

State Courts in California

California has 2 types of state courts, trial courts (also called “superior courts”) and appellate courts, made up of the Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court. The California Constitution also establishes the Judicial Council, which is the governing body of the California courts and is chaired by the California Supreme Court Chief Justice.

Trial Courts

Trial courts are also called “superior courts.” In the trial or superior court, a judge, and sometimes a jury, hears testimony and evidence and decides a case by applying the law to the facts of the case.

Superior courts handle:

  • All civil cases (family law, probate, juvenile, and other civil cases);
  • All criminal cases (felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions, like traffic tickets);
  • Small claims cases and appeals of small claims cases;
  • Appeals of civil cases involving $25,000 or less; and
  • Appeals of infraction (like traffic) and misdemeanor cases.

 

There are 58 superior courts, 1 in each county. Some counties may have several courthouses in different cities, but they are all part of the same superior court for that county.

Superior court judges are elected by voters of the county on a non-partisan ballot at a general election. (Vacancies are filled by appointment of the Governor.) The term of office for a trial judge in California is 6 years. A superior court judge must have been an attorney admitted to practice law in California or have served as a judge of a court of record in this state for at least 10 years immediately preceding election or appointment. Click to find a particular California trial court judge.

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What are some common misdemeanor charges?

Bail Bonds Southern California

Here is a small list of examples of the laws in California that define misdemeanor charges.

Driving on a Suspended License – VC 14601.1(a)
DUI – VC 23152(a)
Public Drunkenness – 647(f)
Domestic Violence – PC 273.5
Reckless Driving – VC 23103 (b)
Disorderly Conduct – PC 415
Petty Theft – PC 484 or PC 488
Shoplifting – PC 459.5
Soliciting Prostitution – PC 647(b)
Probation Violations – PC 273.5

You can find a full explanation of the charges and their designation as either a felony or a misdemeanor, in the California Penal Code.

Is a bail enforcement agent like we see on TV and movies?

Bail Bonds Los Angeles

Often times, yes they are. Bail enforcement agents work closely with bail bond agents to make sure that defendants appear in court for their scheduled hearings. When a bonded person skips bail, bail enforcement agents are responsible for tracking the individual down and returning them to custody. Many well trained bail agents work themselves to bring a fugitive back into custody to ensure they make their scheduled court date. Often it can be something as simple as a phone call to the right family member, and sometimes it has to go beyond a phone call.

Often times it is not near as dramatic as portrayed on film.

Professionalism and staying within the parameters set fourth by the law are important to licensed bail agents. Dramatics are typically avoided when there is a wiser option available.

© BAIL AGENT X
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