How many Will Change Their Way Of Operation?

I am curious to see how many bail agents will actually change or plan to change the way that they bail someone out of jail in the aftermath of the Idaho killing.

I don't want to rehash that case but, to just discuss truly the practicality of requiring 2 bail agents to drive a defendant home or collecting the full premium up front before bailing someone. How about requiring everyone to have a co signer?

I have in the past driven clients home to some very dangerous neighborhoods with out any problem what so ever. Does that mean something will not happen in the future? No.

Will I stop giving rides to clients that truly need them? Maybe.......

How about having co singers. Again we normally require one. However we have "regulars" that we have bailed and they have come in later with the payment. No problem.

So, is it really practical to have 2 bail agents give client a ride home if they have no other way to get there? Will all bail agents now require that the full premium be paid up front before posting a bond? I don't think so.

How many will start carrying a weapon each time they post a bond?

My gut is that business will go on as ususal.

One valuable trait or skill that a bail agent has, is the ability to size up a potential bail quickly. If you don't feel comfortable. If there are to many excuses for not having the money or a co signer. The type of charges. The prior history of the defendant. Don't write that bond.

Knowing all of that, will that prevent a bond going bad or worse? Maybe not.

Externally, I don't think there will be any kind of new laws or state regulations that will be mandated regarding how we conduct our trade.

Internally, is a totally different matter. It is both my personal and professional policy to never give a client a ride home...period. Now, have I been "ordered" to do so by a supervisor ? Of course I have. Was I comfortable in doing so ? No I wasn't and I told my supervisor that. They assured me it was safe, no problem, long time client, etc.

Now that I am in the position I am in....I am responsible for those judgement calls. Guess what ? I DON'T DO IT.

You never know how a client is going to behave. Male/Female, race, druggie, whatever....the fact is the "client" is a CRIMINAL.

Our company policy does mandate co-signer's, cash or collateral upfront, valid in-state ID's, stable employment or verified income on the part of the co-signer, and as many land lines as possible. Now, do we insist on the entire premium upfront ? No. We do have to finance some bonds we write. But I at least try to get 50% upfront.

Regarding weapons: Most bondspersons that I have encountered in my area do carry weapons, except when entering the jails, they don't allow it. Most of us have weapons close to hand...in our offices, cars, trunks, purses, etc.

I guess coming from the background that I have, I am far less trusting of my fellow man than some other's. I know full well how dangerous an animal we are and how quickly we turn on one another.

Anyway, just my 2cents worth ....

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

I do give rides ~ but if my gut says NOOOOOOOOO I don't give two craps what anybody says it aint happening. I am with Tony it will be business as usual.

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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

I give rides sometimes. Only once was I uncomfortable with it but he had asked me at the jail and they knew he was with me and where we were headed. I got 3 phone calls checking on me and orders to call when I dropped him off. I also passed 2 patrol cars enroute. It wasn't that I was scared of him, he was just an old drunk.

And yes, I am pretty much always armed when I am working. There are weapons in the office, in the car, in my purse, and at home.

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Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club