CA Another Attack on Bail

We have received inquiries from law enforcement in MN over the past year concerning fugitive recovery agents in the state. The gist of it is that they feel that some agents are pushing the envelope on what is considered acceptable of private sector agents. Having worked in law enforcement I know first hand the culture i.e. territorial, there are often rivalries between agencies and put FRA's into the mix and it can be an unpleasant thing. The biggest thing that they are upset about is FRA's running around looking like police officers, sworn officers go through a lot of vetting and training to earn that badge and the public trust, it really upsets them when non sworn private actors run around looking like them and they feel that it could lead to a situation where the public could be taken advantage of by mistaking them for police. If the FRA's in MN don't get with the program there will likely be some unfavorable legislation.

Chuck, I'm well aware of these FRA's in this state as the recovery community here is small, (5 active recovery-and a handful of part-timers). Legislation has been passed recently due to the actions of one of these guys. Myself personally, I'm taking steps to get out of the bail industry as a whole. There is way too much unwanted attention and opposition here for myself and people like me who try to play by the "rules".

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"Cage"
Recovery Agent
Bail License #40313820

AMEN !
The PROBLEM IS CA . . . The Bondsmen need to be approaching the Powers that be and working on the getting the Bail Schedules lowered. EveryONE will still make $$$$ because MORE people will be able to Bond out. Greed has always been the undoing of any venture. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to all fall down.

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Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Guys,

You are missing the point. It is not a matter of high bail schedules. It is about having to pay ANY bail amount to a private party to get out of jail period!

This is a continuation of the Vera Institute 60 year fight to change the CJS system.

When you have counties in South Dakota talking about it, its not because the bail is real high. They are talking about the fairness of the system.

If we go at this thinking to get bail schedules lowered and believe that will solve the problem, we will lose because they are attacking bail as a equal justice issue.

Bingo! ...and there you have it folks!

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Jason Pollock
Owner/Operator
Surety Risk Management
Los Angeles, California
(323) 786-FIND

"Approach is Everything."

http://www.northjersey.com/news/acting- ... -1.1528588

And if you need any more proof, read the entire article from Bergen County, NJ.

About half way down they talk about bail reform. It is the same message repeated through out the country and it is reaching every state.

Chuck. we have had a couple problems with Bail Agents driving vehicles that could be confused with law enforcement. We aren't allowed to wear clothing that might cause people to think we look like law enforcement officers. We are allowed to have a "shield' with the state seal but law enforcement are very territorial. I was once one of those officers many years ago. I have a brother that is a law enforcement officer an uncle and a brother in law who is a retired Marine who is currently a detective. You're are correct that cops don't like anyone but themselves to look the part of a police officer. After all they have worked hard and have gone through a ton of training to become officers.

I agree some bail agents in most. if not all states cross that line and it can cause some major problems .

I just read an article about law enforcement officers in New Jersey not happy with New Jersey Constables having the word police on their uniforms. it seems for the same reason. I've tried to post the link but can't right now.. I'll need assistance from my wife

So, it looks as if the Constables have crossed the line as well.

So, bail agents aren't the only ones that have crossed that line. Hopefully the bail agents will realize this is a problem, if not they will have problems indeed.

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Bill Williams
Bail Agent
Eagle Bonding Services
Asheville NC 28804
828-777-8667
Lic # NC10013561
Lic # TN 2033018

Never be haughty to the humble
or humble to the haughty - Jefferson Davis

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/0 ... s_are.html

Hopefully this worked.

_________________
Bill Williams
Bail Agent
Eagle Bonding Services
Asheville NC 28804
828-777-8667
Lic # NC10013561
Lic # TN 2033018

Never be haughty to the humble
or humble to the haughty - Jefferson Davis

Constables and Marshals have different levels of authority depending on the state i.e. statutes, for example Texas Constables have full Police powers, Massachusetts and New Jersey Constables are little more than appointed public officials that mostly work doing private process serving. In Pennsylvania where I was a Constable authority is similar to the Sheriff with the exception of authority to enforce the vehicle code. Constables and Sheriff's in PA serve the majority of arrest warrants for the courts but don't investigate crimes. Both are Police Officers by statute but have different training and areas of responsibility than municipal and state police, some duties overlap and some are distinct.

Chuck.

Earlier in this thread you stated that you had gotten inquiries concerning FRA's in MN. My intent was to show that there is friction between law enforcement and Constables as well. I'm aware that constables in PA are actually elected officials with mostly court services duties with very limited arrest powers.

My point was. that not only FRA's have had run in's in these situations but constables, security guards etc. have had the same issue.

There's more than FRA's butting heads with law enforcement. and was just putting this into context. It's sometimes easy to think Bail Agents are the only one's that get out of line. I certainly don't condone this behavior, but Bail Agents aren't the only ones that overstep their authority in the judicial system.

Well, I'm obviously off topic here. so maybe I'll start another subject concerning this later.

_________________
Bill Williams
Bail Agent
Eagle Bonding Services
Asheville NC 28804
828-777-8667
Lic # NC10013561
Lic # TN 2033018

Never be haughty to the humble
or humble to the haughty - Jefferson Davis