Bail Blotter: Court Considers Cash-Only Bail

• September 06, 2012
• by AboutBail Staff
• In the News

Each week AboutBail combs the web for the latest and most interesting industry news stories to bring you the Weekly Bail Blotter.

Bondsmen and Undocumented Immigrant Cases

DALLAS COUNTY, TX – A local newspaper is alleging that Texas bondsmen failed to pay defaults or paid less than they owed in a number of cases involving undocumented immigrants who fled from the country. In some cases, the paper notes or lack of payment is because clerks lost files while in other cases judges did not pursue full payment. According to The Dallas Morning News, the cases involving undocumented immigrants are costing the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost forfeitures yearly since dozens of such cases exist.

To read the full article, click here.

Electronic-Monitoring Program Grows

BLUFFTON, SC – Offender Management Services (OMS) supervisor Bill Normoyle has been in charge of defendants using ankle bracelets since January. He says that the program allows some low-risk offenders to stay out of jail while still being monitored. It can also ensure that some defendants stay away from their victims. The program is expanding and Normoyle notes that it is a good thing, since the ankle bracelets give conclusive evidence if a defendant has broken their bond terms – even if there are no eyewitnesses of the violation. Before OMS, bail bonds companies were in charge of monitoring ankle bracelets but according to Normoyle there were some problems with getting the defendants carefully monitored.

To read the full article, click here.

Baseball Ads for Bondsmen

SAN DIEGO, CA – Once a month during Padres games Aladdin Bail Bonds ads appear, and these ads are considered a success for the company because they are visible to cameras posted at home games by networks. According to the company, the ads give the company a high profile and have helped with branding. Aladdin has over 50 offices and claim to be the largest bail bonds company in the country. The company also moved beyond ads, handing out branded decals and schedules during a game on Opening Day. In addition, Aladdin offers its Petco Park suite to clubs and groups and has a scoreboard feature.

To read the full article, click here.

Court Considers Cash-Only Bail

JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- The Missouri Supreme Court is considering requiring cash-only bail for criminal defendants. Currently, defendants have the option of using a Missouri bail bondsman or paying a cash bail. The issue came up when a man was accused of using concealed cameras to invade the privacy of massage clients. His bail was set at $75,000 and was a cash-only bail. His attorney argued that cash-only bail should not be set in the case since the Missouri Constitution allows everyone, except in some capital offenses, to be bailed by “sufficient sureties.” Prosecutors noted that cash-only bails are allowed because the constitution allows courts to set special bail conditions or even deny bail in cases where defendants can be a danger to society. 

To read the full article, click here.

Bail Scam in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, TN — About six local fast food businesses have been targeted in a bail scam. The male scammer approaches the business claiming to be a sheriff's deputy or police officer and tells workers that he has arrested the boss of the business during a traffic stop. He then tells employers that their boss needs to make bail and encourages the workers to give him a few hundred dollars from the safe or register for the bail. Police are looking for the suspect and are requesting anyone who has any further information to contact authorities. Police are also reminding the public that police officers do not solicit bail money and that legitimate bondsmen have documentation and identification. 

To read the full article, click here. 

Skipped Court Dates Are Not the Only Concern for Bondsmen

NORFOLK, VA – Bondsmen usually worry about clients failing to show up for court dates, but one local Virginia bondsman had a new worry when his client showed up inebriated in court – to face DUI charges. Mark Gilland admitted to the DUI charges and was then charged a second time after showing up drunk in court. 

To read the full article, click here. 

For more bail news highlights, click here to check out the in-the-news archives.