Bail Agents Scrutinized in New York

Another bad look at the bail buiness.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/nyreg ... ted=1&_r=1

WOW ! The only fees that we can charge are the '"required" State fee, Jail fee, and any Filing fee(s) (incurred) required to do a lien of property . . . Of course it is in the contract that should the party choose NOT to appear and we have to "recover" him or her then any costs that are incurred are to be paid by said defendant or co-signer.

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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

It is the same in CA. We can charge only for actual costs incurred in recovery of a skip, plus any court or jail required fees.

I think this is a situation where one bail agency started tacking on fees and got away with it, so others started doing the same. If everyone does this, then the defendants have no other choices to go to.

This just perpetuates the already negative image of bail agents as greedy, shady and criminals themselves as the main character in this piece was convicted of possession of a firearm.

Just what we need, more negative press.

Spotted that article today..typical - a couple bad apples will screw it up for the rest of us.

I have been giving my clients a copy of the NY Insurance Law Article 68 Sec 6804 (Premium or Compensation) that outlines the fees that can be charged along with PL 215.45-58 dealing with bail jumping etc.

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Looking out my kitchen window, I see Canada, looking out my porch window, I see Vermont!
Looking in the mirror I see wrinkles!

Ok, next time one of us has a BIG apprehension that I know will go great, I think that story needs to be sent in to the "press"!