The issue of pre trial release programs is one that seems to consistently be at the forefront of the bail bonds industry. The 2010 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton Award for excellence in broadcast journalism is being bestowed upon NPR news for their work on the controversial issue of bail bonds and pre trial release programs. NPR did a three part investigative journalism series which was critical of the cost and process involved in the bail bonds industry.
The NPR series looked at possible inequalities in the utilization of bail bonds, treatment of clients based on socio economic factors and unseen costs to American taxpayers.
Specfically, questions were raised if the overcrowding issues facing American jails would be different if the bail bonds process wasn't so profit driven. The piece noted that many defendants are incarcerated for numerous non violent crimes because they can not afford relatively small bail amounts. They put that cost at aprox. $9 billion annually.
They are quick to identify the bail bonds industry as an impediment to improving the overcrowding problem in our jails. Citing the bail bonds industry consistent opposition to pre trial release programs, the NPR series suggests a wider application of pre trial release programs, while unpopular with bail bondsmen, may be key to reducing taxpayers costs and overcrowding in jails.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Judge Impeached Over Bail Bonds Corruption
U.S. District Judge Thomas Porteous of Louisiana was convicted by the Senate on four articles of impeachment. That marks just the eigth time in US history a federal judge has been removed from the bench by Congress.
Prosecutors alledged that drinking problems and gambling woes lead the judge to take money from bail bondsmen and lawyers of cases for which he was presiding. In addition, he was accused of using a false name to file for bankruptcy and lying to Congress during his judicial confirmation.
Louis Marcotte, a New Orleans bail bondsman, testified that he provided meals, vacations and other items of value to the judge. In return, the judge was said to have raised bail amounts which resulted in higher bail bondsman fees for Marcotte.
Louis Marcotte, a New Orleans bail bondsman, testified that he provided meals, vacations and other items of value to the judge. In return, the judge was said to have raised bail amounts which resulted in higher bail bondsman fees for Marcotte.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Bail Bondsman Demands More Than Fee From Client
Bail bondsman, Curtis Jackson Maroney, was arrested by Lexington County Sheriff’s detectives for alledgely forcing a female client to perform sexual acts and do manual labor. These were alledged to have been a condition of the South Carolina's bail bondsman's efforts to post her bail bond. Mr. Maroney worked for Affordable Bonding, as a licensed S.C. bail bondsman.
According to law enforcement reports, the bail bondsman threatened to revoke the female client's bail if she did not comply with his orders of forced work and sexual acts. The woman's original charge was Driving Under the Influence. While the case is still under investigation, it is safe to say the charges of blackmail and extortion could land the bail bondsman behind bars for a very long time.
According to law enforcement reports, the bail bondsman threatened to revoke the female client's bail if she did not comply with his orders of forced work and sexual acts. The woman's original charge was Driving Under the Influence. While the case is still under investigation, it is safe to say the charges of blackmail and extortion could land the bail bondsman behind bars for a very long time.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Bail Bondsman's Office Broken Into By Client?
Being a bail bondsman can be a thankless job. However, Rafael Phillip Lujan is suspected of really making it thankless by allegedly breaking into the office of the bondsman's who bailed him out for a warrant for failure to appear in court for harassment.. After posting a bond for Mr. Lujan, he was at the Blackwell Bail Bonds office filling out paperwork.
Later that day, the bail bonds office was broken into. Police officers found Mr. Luzan in a store nearby with several two dollar bills. Apparently, Blackwell Bail Bonds had a two dollar bill mint sheet stolen during the break in.
After being arrested for the break in and theft, Mr. Lujan will undoubtedly being looking for a bail bondsman to bail him out. However, with a charge of burglary in a bail bondsman office, it may be tough to find sympathetic and willing bondsmen.
Later that day, the bail bonds office was broken into. Police officers found Mr. Luzan in a store nearby with several two dollar bills. Apparently, Blackwell Bail Bonds had a two dollar bill mint sheet stolen during the break in.
After being arrested for the break in and theft, Mr. Lujan will undoubtedly being looking for a bail bondsman to bail him out. However, with a charge of burglary in a bail bondsman office, it may be tough to find sympathetic and willing bondsmen.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
NASCAR Driver Back In Jail After Bail Bondsman Finds Him With Drugs
Being arrested once is terrible, but two times in the same week is mind boggling. That is exactly what happened to James Edward Neal. The former NASCAR driver had just been released from the Orange County jail on bail, after being arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and attempted rape.
Shortly after being bailed out, the 56 year old male was arrested at the Best Western San Clemente Inn on suspicion of drug possession. An Always For You bail bondsman tracked the defendant down when they became concerned about their client. The bail bondsman found the former NASCAR driver in the motel room with methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.
The bondsman consequently called deputies, who in turn arrested Mr. Neal.
Shortly after being bailed out, the 56 year old male was arrested at the Best Western San Clemente Inn on suspicion of drug possession. An Always For You bail bondsman tracked the defendant down when they became concerned about their client. The bail bondsman found the former NASCAR driver in the motel room with methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.
The bondsman consequently called deputies, who in turn arrested Mr. Neal.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Another Bail Bondsman Arrested For Referral Practices
In yet another instance of allegedly breaking the law to win new new business, a California bail bondsman has been arrested for a referral scheme aimed at attorneys. In California it is illegal for bail bondsmen and attorneys to refer clients to one another.
The owner of Respect Bail Bonds, Ronald Lee Brockway, was charged by for allegedly offering criminal defense lawyers monetary compensation for client referrals. In addition, the bail bondsman was accused of referring clients to criminal defense attorneys.
He could face over three years in jail if convicted on the two felony counts of violating bail license regulations.
The owner of Respect Bail Bonds, Ronald Lee Brockway, was charged by for allegedly offering criminal defense lawyers monetary compensation for client referrals. In addition, the bail bondsman was accused of referring clients to criminal defense attorneys.
He could face over three years in jail if convicted on the two felony counts of violating bail license regulations.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Bail Bondsman Accused of Torturing Defendant
Skipping out on a bail bondsman will certainly make them mad. They have a lot of money riding on the promise of a defendant appearing in court as scheduled. Sometimes when defendants don't appear, the bail bondsman can cross the line.
When someone jumped bail after a bond was posted by F & N Bail Bonds, three bail bondsmen went to pick him up. However, it is alleged that they tortured him after apprehending the defendant. As a result, it was the three bail bondsmen who were arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and felony restraint. They allegedly wiped pepper spray on the defendant, hit him with a bottle and threatened to rape him.
Of course after being arrested, the three bail bondsmen were able to post bail bonds and secured their release. They claim the charges are not accurate and the defendant made them up. It will be interesting to see who ultimately spends more time in jail, the bail bondsmen or the defendant they apprehended
When someone jumped bail after a bond was posted by F & N Bail Bonds, three bail bondsmen went to pick him up. However, it is alleged that they tortured him after apprehending the defendant. As a result, it was the three bail bondsmen who were arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and felony restraint. They allegedly wiped pepper spray on the defendant, hit him with a bottle and threatened to rape him.
Of course after being arrested, the three bail bondsmen were able to post bail bonds and secured their release. They claim the charges are not accurate and the defendant made them up. It will be interesting to see who ultimately spends more time in jail, the bail bondsmen or the defendant they apprehended
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Fundraiser Helps Pregnant Woman Pay Bail Bondsman For Release
Megan Martzen is a pregnant teenager accused of murdering another couple's 17 month old baby. After being arrested, the Fresno, CA area teenager had her bail set at $2,000,000. Unable to pay for the bail themselves, her family turned to others to help raise the funds necessary to get their daughter released.
Over 100 supporters joined together to raise $40,000. That was enough to help secure Martzen's release through a bail bondsman. Her family had a sense of urgency as they feared she would fall prey to other violent inmates while in her more vulnerable 3rd trimester of pregnancy. to Martzen's defense fund, which helped get the pregnant 19-year-old out of jail Thursday.
While her trial will most likely not occur until at least sometime next year, the defendant will at least have her baby outside of jail. It is due in approximately two months.
Over 100 supporters joined together to raise $40,000. That was enough to help secure Martzen's release through a bail bondsman. Her family had a sense of urgency as they feared she would fall prey to other violent inmates while in her more vulnerable 3rd trimester of pregnancy. to Martzen's defense fund, which helped get the pregnant 19-year-old out of jail Thursday.
While her trial will most likely not occur until at least sometime next year, the defendant will at least have her baby outside of jail. It is due in approximately two months.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bail Bondsman Accused of Taking Referrals From Prison Worker
The legal and regulatory restrictions regarding tips and referrals to bail bondsmen are well documented. However, the issue keeps coming up and arrests relating to the issue never seem to stop. According to a state Department of Insurance official, a bail bondsman from Orange County has been accused of receiving referrals and inside information regarding potential new business from a jail employee.
Based on a tip from the jail itself, the Orange County Sherrif's office conducted an undercover investigation of the alledged illegal referral scheme. As a result of that investigation, Wycliffe Deneen-Niko Harrigan, was arrested and charged with one count of aiding and abetting unlicensed bail bonding.
Based on a tip from the jail itself, the Orange County Sherrif's office conducted an undercover investigation of the alledged illegal referral scheme. As a result of that investigation, Wycliffe Deneen-Niko Harrigan, was arrested and charged with one count of aiding and abetting unlicensed bail bonding.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Bad Dog Bail Bondsman Release On Bond
The president of Bad Dog Bail Bonds, Jarrod Neil Flaming, shot and killed Derek Graves. Mr. Graves was being sought by Fleming for skipping on a drug warrant. The Carlsbad, NM bail bondsman was attempting to bring the fugitiive into custody when a foot chase ensued.
Law enforcement officials say that police found Derek Graves shot and laying on the ground outside of a Texas apartment complex where Mr. Flaming first encountered Mr. Graves.
The New Mexico bail bondsman posted a $75,000 bond and was released from the Hale County jail. While he can return to Carlsbad, NM, he must of course appear as scheduled with the Texas court dates. Texas law enforcement believe the bail bondsmen wasn't properly authorized or licensed to conduct a fugitive apprehension in Texas. on Sunday.
Law enforcement officials say that police found Derek Graves shot and laying on the ground outside of a Texas apartment complex where Mr. Flaming first encountered Mr. Graves.
The New Mexico bail bondsman posted a $75,000 bond and was released from the Hale County jail. While he can return to Carlsbad, NM, he must of course appear as scheduled with the Texas court dates. Texas law enforcement believe the bail bondsmen wasn't properly authorized or licensed to conduct a fugitive apprehension in Texas. on Sunday.
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