GENERAL INFORMATION: When you were booked into the custody of the Broward County Jail, an arrest number (CIS #) was assigned to you. This number will identify you for as long as you are in jail. It is your responsibility to memorize your arrest number. It will help us and you identify and locate your personal property and any issues that are of importance to you. You will remain in one of our facilities until you post a bond, your case is disposed of by a judge, or your sentence is completed. Legal questions about your case are best answered by your attorney or public defender. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are heard in County Court, felony cases are heard in Circuit Court, and if you are here on a civil hold, the case will be heard by a Civil Court judge. If you are sentenced to serve one year or less, you will serve your sentence in one of the Broward County Jail facilities. If your sentence is more than one year, you will be transferred to the State Department of Corrections, providing that all outstanding charges have been resolved.
POSTING A BAIL BOND and MONEY: If you had money in your possession when you were booked, a money account was opened for your use. You will receive a receipt for the funds deposited into this account. You will be allowed to use the money in this account to bond yourself out of jail. If you need to give your money to someone outside the jail, you must complete a voucher form. Ask your housing deputy for a voucher. If you need assistance in completing it, they will help you. You cannot voucher money to someone who is incarcerated in a Broward County Jail. Any exceptions to this must be made by written request to the facility commander(s) and have their approval(s).
• Bonding Agent: You may contact a bonding agency to post a bond for you. For a complete list of trusted and professional bail bond agents in City of Sunrise, Florida, call 800.938.2245 or visit expertbail.com.
• Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) services are also available in the release / booking area at the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Main Jail - 555 SE 1st Avenue, for immediate bonding purposes only, for a fee of $3.00, per transaction. A charge in addition to this fee may be assessed by your financial institution.
• Western Union Services are also available – see details under section titled “Western Union Quick Collect Service.”
VISITATION:
1. The visiting schedule is posted on the bulletin board in your housing area / unit, telling you the day and times you may have visitors.
2. You will be given an opportunity for two (2) hours of visitation per week. You may only see up to (2) two visitors at a time.
3. Minors are only permitted to visit when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, unless the facility commander or designee authorizes, in advance of the visit, the minor to be accompanied by some other adult.
RULES FOR VISITORS: Please notify your visitors of the following rules:
• Visitors must have proper / current photo identification. (NO IDENTIFICATION - NO VISIT)
• Visitors must be on time.
• Visitors must abide by the dress code. (Read below, “Visitor’s Dress Code”)
• Visitors may be subjected to a pat-down / frisk search and / or electronic search for the detection of contraband. Children must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times.
• Visitors cannot be on parole, probation, or work release without the prior written permission of the facility commander.
• Visitors are not permitted to visit more than one inmate on any given day. An exception may be granted if the visitor is an immediate family member of more than one inmate confined in the facility. Other exceptions will be at the discretion of the facility commander.
• Obscene actions or gestures will terminate the visit. If you are asked to leave please do so immediately.
• Visitors are NOT permitted to pass / give any items to an inmate. (Violators are subject to arrest.)
Please notify your visitors that transportation is available by county buses, downtown trollies, or taxi cabs. They should contact the bus stations for route information. This information will be made available in all DOD facility lobbies.
VISITOR'S DRESS CODE: If your visitor refuses to comply with the dress code, your visit may be denied or terminated.
The following dress code will be enforced at all times.
a. Shirts and shoes must be worn.
b. Visitors wearing clothing marked by words or pictures that are profane or offensive will not be allowed.
c. Halter tops, swim suits, tank tops, strapless tops, spaghetti straps, sheer, see-through or provocative clothing, any clothing that exposes the midriff, short shorts, mini dresses, and mini skirts that appear too short are prohibited.
Intake & Release Process
Individuals who have been placed under arrest are first transported to Broward Sheriff's Office Central Intake Unit, which is located at the Main Jail in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Upon arrival, they must complete the following steps:
• Property Intake
• Medical Screening
• Fingerprinting
• Photographing
• Warrants Check
While the staff at Central Intake is dedicated to ensuring the prompt processing and release of eligible arrestees, the amount of time required to complete this process may be affected by the volume of arrestees being processed simultaneously and/or the availability of information from state and national databases.
Appearance in Magistrate Court
Arrestees who are not bonded out of jail appear before a magistrate judge the day following the arrest (including Saturdays and Sundays). Proceedings usually begin at 8 a.m., however this depends upon the presiding judge. The judge will inform the arrestee of the charge(s) and, if appropriate, will set a bond amount.
In misdemeanor cases, the judge may accept a guilty plea and release the arrestee on his or her own recognizance or for time-served.
Magistrate proceedings may be viewed on the monitor located in the lobby of BSO's Main Jail.
Housing Assignments
Individuals who are not released on bond are assigned to one of five BSO jails based upon objective criteria. This criteria ensures that inmates are housed in the least restrictive and safest unit possible based upon level of security required. Housing assignments are not made based on proximity to an inmate's home, but rather on the premise of assigning an inmate to the jail facility that can best meet his or her needs.
Inmate Activities, Services & Programs
Inmates are permitted to watch television and are provided with reading material to occupy free time. Weather permitting, inmates may also take part in outside recreation and use exercise equipment.
BSO's Department of Detention & Community Control provides a variety of programs and services to inmates, including:
• Adult Basic Education
• AIDS Awareness Training
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Anger Management Program
• Cocaine Anonymous
• Commissary
• GED Preparation & Testing
• Group Therapy
• Juvenile Programs
• Library Services
• Medical Services
• Mental Health Counseling
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
• Parenting Skills
• Pre-Release Planning
• Prevention & Intervention Program Against Drugs & Alcohol
• Relapse Prevention Program
• Religious Services & Counseling
• Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Training
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Veterans Group
• Work Release Programs
Additional information about these programs is available from detention deputies within the facility.
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Bounty Hunter's Pursuit of Justice
The Bounty Hunter's Pursuit of Justice
by Alex Tabarrok
The Wilson Quarterely
Andrew Luster had it all: a multimillion-dollar trust fund, good looks, and a bachelor pad just off the beach in Mussel Shoals, California. Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor, spent his days surfing and his nights cruising the clubs. His life would have been sad but unremarkable if he had not had a fetish for sex with unconscious women. When one woman alleged rape, Luster claimed mutual consent, but the videotapes the police discovered when they searched his home told a different story. Eventually, more than 10 women came forward, and he was convicted of 20 counts of rape and sentenced to 124 years in prison. There was only one problem. Luster could not be found.
Shortly before he was expected to take the stand, Luster withdrew funds from his brokerage accounts, found a caretaker for his dog, and skipped town on a $1 million bail bond. The FBI put Luster on its most-wanted list, but months passed with no results. In the end, the authorities did not find him. But Luster was brought to justice—by a dog (or at least a man who goes by that name). Duane Chapman, star of the A&E reality TV show Dog: The Bounty Hunter, tracked Luster for months. He picked up clues to Luster’s whereabouts from old phone bills and from Luster’s mother, who inadvertently revealed that her son spoke fluent Spanish. He also gleaned useful information from a mysterious Mr. X who taunted him by e-mail and who may have been Luster himself. Finally, a tip from someone who had seen Dog on television brought Chapman to a small town in Mexico known for its great surfing. Days later, he and his team spotted Luster at a taco stand, apprehended him, and turned him over to the local police.
Most people don’t realize how many fugitives from the law there are. About one-quarter of all felony defendants fail to show up on the day of their trial. Some of these absences are due to forgetfulness, hospitalization, or even imprisonment on another charge. But like Luster, many felony defendants skip court with willful intent. The police are charged with recapturing these fugitives, but some of them are chased by an even more tireless pursuer, the bounty hunter.
Bounty hunters and bail bondsmen play an important but unsung role in a legal system whose court dockets are too crowded to provide swift justice. When a suspect is arrested, a judge must make a decision: set the suspect free on his own recognizance until the court is ready to proceed, hold the suspect in jail, or release the accused on the condition that he post a bail bond. A bond is a promise backed by incentive. If the suspect shows up on the trial date, he gets his money back; but if he fails to show, the money is forfeited. We don’t want to deprive the innocent of their liberty, but we also don’t want to give the guilty too much of a head start on their escape. Bail bonds don’t solve this problem completely, but they do give judges an additional tool to help them navigate the dilemma.
Bail might be a rich man’s privilege were it not for the bail bondsman. (Many bondsmen are women, but “bondsperson” doesn’t have quite the same ring, so I’ll use the standard terminology.) In return for a non-refundable fee, usually around 10 percent of the bond, a bondsman will put up his own money with the court. A typical bond might run $6,000. If the defendant shows up, the bondsman earns $600. But if the defendant flees, the bondsman potentially can forfeit $6,000. Potentially, because when a fugitive fails to appear, the court gives the bondsman a notice that essentially says, “Bring your charge to justice soon or your money is mine.” A bondsman typically has 90 to 180 days to bring a fugitive back to justice, so when a defendant jumps bail, the bondsman lets the dogs loose.
Actually, that last image suggesting a massive manhunt is misleading. Bail bond firms are often small, family-run businesses—the wife writes the bonds and the husband, the “bounty hunter,” searches for clients who fail to show up in court. Although a bondsman never knows when a desperate client might turn violent, his job is usually routine, as I found out when Dennis Sew volunteered to show me the ropes. Dennis has been in the business for more than 20 years and in 2009 was named agent of the year by the Professional Bail Agents of the United States. Nevertheless, I was apprehensive as I drove to Baltimore early one morning to try my hand at bounty hunting.
When Dennis and I meet, he hands me a photo showing our first fugitive of the day. I’ll be honest. I was expecting to see a young African-American male. What can I say? It’s Baltimore and I’ve seen every episode of The Wire. But I’m surprised. Taken a few years ago in better times, the picture shows an attractive young woman, perhaps at her prom. She has long blond hair and bright eyes. She is smiling.
We drive to the house where a tip has placed her. It’s a middle-class home in a nice suburb. Children’s toys are strewn about the garden. I’m accompanied by Dennis and two of his coworkers—a former police officer and a former sheriff’s deputy. One of them takes the back while Dennis knocks. A woman still in her nightclothes answers. She does not seem surprised to have four men knocking at her door this early in the morning. She volunteers that we can search the house, and eventually we get the whole story from her.
“Chrissy,” our fugitive, is the woman’s niece. Chrissy was at the house two days before and may return. The once attractive young woman has had her life ruined by drugs. Or she has ruined her life with drugs—sometimes it’s hard to tell. She is now a heroin addict whose boyfriend regularly beats her. The aunt is momentarily shocked when we show her the photo. No, she doesn’t look like that anymore—her hair is brown, her face is covered with scabs and usually bruised, and she weighs maybe 85 pounds. “Be gentle with her,” the aunt says, even though, she predicts, “she will probably fight.”
The aunt gives us another location to scout: a parking lot where Chrissy and her mother are supposedly living out of a car. We are about to leave when the aunt thanks us for being quiet, because there’s a child in the house who was scared the last time the police came by. The child is Chrissy’s son. We drive to the location and look for the car. Dennis and his deputies see what looks like the vehicle and knock on one of the dirty windows, peering intently into the interior. The car is empty. Dennis and his deputies will return later.
What it takes to be a successful bounty hunter is mostly persistence and politeness. On most days your leads don’t pay off, so you need to visit and revisit the fugitive’s home, work, and favorite hangouts. Waiting is a big part of the game. Why politeness? Well, where do the leads come from? From people like Chrissy’s aunt—relatives and friends who might not talk to the police but who will respond to a kind word. Bounty hunters are polite even to the fugitives who, after all, are also their customers, and sadly, bounty hunters rely a lot on repeat business. One customer of a firm owned by the same family that runs the one Dennis works for told him proudly, “My family and I have been coming to Frank’s Bail Bonds for three generations.”
Most fugitives don’t fight, and Dennis is eager to avoid confrontation. Cowboys don’t last long in this business. Most bounty hunters have a working relationship with police officers and will sometimes call on them to make the arrest once a fugitive has been located.
A bounty hunter also benefits from being prepared. A typical application for a bond, for example, requires information about the defendant’s residence, employer, former employer, spouse, children (along with their names and schools), spouse’s employer, mother, father, automobile (including description, tags, and financing), union membership, previous arrests, and so forth. In addition, bond dealers need access to all kinds of public and private databases. Noted bounty hunter Bob Burton says that a list of friends who work at the telephone, gas, or electric utility, the post office, welfare agencies, and in law enforcement is a major asset. Today, familiarity with the Internet and computer databases is a must.
Good bond dealers master the tricks of their trade. The first three digits of a Social Security number, for example, indicate the state where the number was issued. This information can suggest that an applicant might be lying if he claims to have been born elsewhere, and it may provide a clue about where a skipped defendant has family or friends.
If at all possible, bail bondsmen get a friend or family member to cosign the bond. The reason is simple. A defendant whose bond is cosigned is less likely to flee. As Dennis told me, “In my line of work, I deal with some mean people, people who aren’t afraid of me or the police. But even the mean ones are afraid of their mom, so if I can get Mom to list her house as collateral, I know the defendant is much more likely to show up when he is supposed to.” A defendant whose bond is cosigned is also more likely to be caught if he does flee, because the bondsman will remind the cosigner that if the fugitive can’t be found, it’s not just the bondsman who will be left holding the bag.
Bounty hunters have robust rights to arrest fugitives. They can, for example, lawfully break into a suspect’s home without a warrant, pursue and recover fugitives across state lines without necessity of extradition proceedings, and search and seize without the constraint of the Fourth Amendment’s “reasonableness” requirement. Just like everyone else, however, bounty hunters must obey the criminal statutes. A bounty hunter who uses unreasonable force or mistakenly enters the home of someone who is not a bail jumper is subject to criminal prosecution.
The prerogatives of bounty hunters flow from the historical evolution of bail. Bail began in medieval England as a progressive measure to help defendants get out of jail while they waited, sometimes for many months, for a roving judge to show up to conduct a trial. If the local sheriff knew the accused, he might release him on the defendant’s promise to return for the hearing. More often, however, the sheriff would release the accused to the custody of a surety, usually a brother or friend, who guaranteed that the defendant would present himself when the time came. So, in the common law, custody of the accused was never relinquished but instead was transferred to the surety—the brother became the keeper—which explains the origin of the strong rights bail bondsmen have to pursue and capture escaped defendants. Initially, the surety’s guarantee to the sheriff was simple: If the accused failed to show, the surety would take his place and be judged as if he were the offender.
The English system provided lots of incentives for sureties to make certain that the accused showed up for trial, but not a lot of incentive to be a surety. The risk to sureties was lessened when courts began to accept pledges of cash rather than of one’s person, but the system was not perfected until personal surety was slowly replaced by a commercial surety system in the United States. That system put incentives on both sides of the equation. Bondsmen had an incentive both to bail defendants out of jail and to chase them down should they flee. By the end of the 19th century, commercial sureties were the norm in the United States. (The Philippines is the only other country with a similar system.)
Bail was widely admired as a progressive institution when the alternative was jail, but in the 1950s and ’60s many judges and law professors began to think that the alternative to bail should be release on a defendant’s own recognizance. Bail looked increasingly like a conservative institution that kept people, especially poor people, in jail. Many opinion makers came to support the creation of pretrial services agencies that would investigate defendants and recommend to judges whether they could be safely released on their own recognizance. In essence, the agencies would replace the judgment of bail bondsmen with the judgment of a professional bureaucracy.
In the early 1960s, the Vera Institute of Justice’s Manhattan Bail Project in New York City began gathering information about local defendants’ community ties and residential and employment stability and summarizing it in a numerical scoring system that it used to identify those who could be recommended for release on their own recognizance. The experiment was successful. The failure-to-appear rate among felony defendants the project recommended for release was no higher than the rate among those released on bail. Largely on the basis of these results, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Federal Bail Reform Act of 1966, which created a presumption in favor of releasing defendants on their own recognizance.
Although the new law applied only to the federal courts, the states have widely emulated the reforms. Every state now has some kind of pretrial services program, and four (Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin) have outlawed commercial bail altogether. In its place, Illinois introduced the government bail or “deposit bond” system. The defendant is required to deposit with the court a small percentage of the face value of the bond. If the defendant fails to appear, he may lose the deposit and be held liable for the full value of the bond. But while a defendant in a commercial bail system who shows up in court must still pay the bondsman a fee, those who do so in jurisdictions with systems like Illinois’s get all their money back (less a small service fee in some cases). And the only people empowered to chase down a defendant who has fled are the police.
The results of the Manhattan Bail Project seemed to support the position of progressives who argued that commercial bail was unnecessary. But all that the findings really demonstrated was that a few carefully selected felony defendants could be safely released on their own recognizance. In reality, the project allowed relatively few defendants to be let go and so could easily cherry pick those who were most likely to appear at trial. As pretrial release programs expanded in the late 1960s and early ’70s, failure-to-appear rates increased.
Today, when a defendant fails to appear, an arrest warrant is issued. But if the defendant was released on his own recognizance or on government bail, very little else happens. In many states and cities, the police are overwhelmed with outstanding arrest warrants. In California, about two million warrants have gone unserved. Many are for minor offenses, but hundreds of thousands are for felonies, including thousands of homicides.
In Philadelphia, where commercial bail has been regulated out of existence, The Philadelphia Inquirer recently found that “fugitives jump bail . . . with virtual impunity.” At the end of 2009, the City of Brotherly Love had more than 47,000 unserved arrest warrants. About the only time the city’s bail jumpers are recaptured is when they are arrested for some other crime. One would expect that a criminal on the lam would be careful not to get caught speeding, but foresight is rarely a prominent characteristic of bail jumpers. Routine stops ensnare more than a few of them. When the jails are crowded, however, even serial bail jumpers are often released.
The backlog of unserved warrants has become so bad that Philadelphia and many other cities with similar systems, including Washington, D.C., Indianapolis, and Phoenix, have held “safe surrender” days when fugitives are promised leniency if they turn themselves in at a local church or other neutral location. (Some safe surrender programs even advertise on-site child care.) That’s good for the fugitives, but for victims of crime, both past and future, justice delayed is justice denied.
Unserved warrants tend not to pile up in jurisdictions with commercial bondsmen. In those places, the bail bond agent is on the hook for the bond and thus has a strong incentive to bring those who jump bail to justice. My interest in commercial bail and bounty hunting began when economist Eric Helland and I used data on 36,231 felony defendants released between 1988 and 1996 to investigate the differences between the public and private systems of bail and fugitive recovery. Our study, published in TheJournal of Law and Economics in 2004, is the largest and most comprehensive ever written on the bail system.
Our research backs up what I found on the street: Bail bondsmen and bounty hunters get their charges to show up for trial, and they recapture them quickly when they do flee. Nationally, the failure-to-appear rate for defendants released on commercial bail is 28 percent lower than the rate for defendants released on their own recognizance, and 18 percent lower than the rate for those released on government bond.
Even more important, when a defendant does skip town, the bounty hunters are the ones who pursue justice with the greatest determination and energy. Defendants sought by bounty hunters are a whopping 50 percent less likely to be on the loose after one year than other bail jumpers.
In addition to being effective, bail bondsmen and bounty hunters work at no cost to the taxpayers. The public reaps a double benefit, because when a bounty hunter fails to find his man, the bond is forfeit to the government. Because billions of dollars of bail are written every year and not every fugitive is caught, bond forfeits are a small but welcome source of revenue. At the federal level, forfeits help fund the Crime Victim Fund, which does what its name suggests, and in states such as Virginia and North Carolina they yield millions of dollars for public schools. Indeed, budget shortfalls around the nation are leading to a reconsideration of commercial bail. Oregon, which banned commercial bail in 1974, is considering a controversial bill to reinstate it, and even Illinois, nearly 50 years after establishing its alternative system, may once again allow bail bondsmen.
Bail bondsmen monitor defendants, guide them through the court process, and help them show up for trial. When defendants skip town, it’s the bounty hunters who track them down. But despite the benefits of commercial bail, bondsmen and bounty hunters don’t get a lot of thanks. The American Bar Association has said that the commercial bail business is “tawdry,” and Supreme Court justice Harry Blackmun once called it “odorous.” After Dog Chapman arrested the serial rapist Andrew Luster and delivered him to the Mexican police, Dog was the one who ended up in jail. Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico, and Chapman was charged with kidnapping despite the fact that (according to him) he had a local police officer with him at the time of the arrest. It surely didn’t help Chapman’s case that he was not trying to recover a bond that he had posted, since Luster had put up his own money. Luster was quickly extradited by the FBI, which offered Chapman no gratitude or assistance with the Mexican authorities. As if to rub salt in the wound, the judge in the Luster case refused even to reimburse Chapman for his expenses out of the $1 million Luster had forfeited.
Dog Chapman’s television show has brought him and the bail bond industry plenty of fame and notoriety, but Chapman is a controversial figure among bondsmen. The famed bounty hunter’s checkered history includes prison time, drug abuse, and charges of racism, and many bondsmen think that “Dog” doesn’t do much for their image. Bondsmen don’t want to be the dogs of criminal justice; they want to be recognized as professionals working alongside police, lawyers, and judges. They are tired of being called “odorous.” Bounty hunters want some respect. The record shows that they’ve earned it.
Full text article PDF available here.
by Alex Tabarrok
The Wilson Quarterely
Andrew Luster had it all: a multimillion-dollar trust fund, good looks, and a bachelor pad just off the beach in Mussel Shoals, California. Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor, spent his days surfing and his nights cruising the clubs. His life would have been sad but unremarkable if he had not had a fetish for sex with unconscious women. When one woman alleged rape, Luster claimed mutual consent, but the videotapes the police discovered when they searched his home told a different story. Eventually, more than 10 women came forward, and he was convicted of 20 counts of rape and sentenced to 124 years in prison. There was only one problem. Luster could not be found.
Shortly before he was expected to take the stand, Luster withdrew funds from his brokerage accounts, found a caretaker for his dog, and skipped town on a $1 million bail bond. The FBI put Luster on its most-wanted list, but months passed with no results. In the end, the authorities did not find him. But Luster was brought to justice—by a dog (or at least a man who goes by that name). Duane Chapman, star of the A&E reality TV show Dog: The Bounty Hunter, tracked Luster for months. He picked up clues to Luster’s whereabouts from old phone bills and from Luster’s mother, who inadvertently revealed that her son spoke fluent Spanish. He also gleaned useful information from a mysterious Mr. X who taunted him by e-mail and who may have been Luster himself. Finally, a tip from someone who had seen Dog on television brought Chapman to a small town in Mexico known for its great surfing. Days later, he and his team spotted Luster at a taco stand, apprehended him, and turned him over to the local police.
Most people don’t realize how many fugitives from the law there are. About one-quarter of all felony defendants fail to show up on the day of their trial. Some of these absences are due to forgetfulness, hospitalization, or even imprisonment on another charge. But like Luster, many felony defendants skip court with willful intent. The police are charged with recapturing these fugitives, but some of them are chased by an even more tireless pursuer, the bounty hunter.
Bounty hunters and bail bondsmen play an important but unsung role in a legal system whose court dockets are too crowded to provide swift justice. When a suspect is arrested, a judge must make a decision: set the suspect free on his own recognizance until the court is ready to proceed, hold the suspect in jail, or release the accused on the condition that he post a bail bond. A bond is a promise backed by incentive. If the suspect shows up on the trial date, he gets his money back; but if he fails to show, the money is forfeited. We don’t want to deprive the innocent of their liberty, but we also don’t want to give the guilty too much of a head start on their escape. Bail bonds don’t solve this problem completely, but they do give judges an additional tool to help them navigate the dilemma.
Bail might be a rich man’s privilege were it not for the bail bondsman. (Many bondsmen are women, but “bondsperson” doesn’t have quite the same ring, so I’ll use the standard terminology.) In return for a non-refundable fee, usually around 10 percent of the bond, a bondsman will put up his own money with the court. A typical bond might run $6,000. If the defendant shows up, the bondsman earns $600. But if the defendant flees, the bondsman potentially can forfeit $6,000. Potentially, because when a fugitive fails to appear, the court gives the bondsman a notice that essentially says, “Bring your charge to justice soon or your money is mine.” A bondsman typically has 90 to 180 days to bring a fugitive back to justice, so when a defendant jumps bail, the bondsman lets the dogs loose.
Actually, that last image suggesting a massive manhunt is misleading. Bail bond firms are often small, family-run businesses—the wife writes the bonds and the husband, the “bounty hunter,” searches for clients who fail to show up in court. Although a bondsman never knows when a desperate client might turn violent, his job is usually routine, as I found out when Dennis Sew volunteered to show me the ropes. Dennis has been in the business for more than 20 years and in 2009 was named agent of the year by the Professional Bail Agents of the United States. Nevertheless, I was apprehensive as I drove to Baltimore early one morning to try my hand at bounty hunting.
When Dennis and I meet, he hands me a photo showing our first fugitive of the day. I’ll be honest. I was expecting to see a young African-American male. What can I say? It’s Baltimore and I’ve seen every episode of The Wire. But I’m surprised. Taken a few years ago in better times, the picture shows an attractive young woman, perhaps at her prom. She has long blond hair and bright eyes. She is smiling.
We drive to the house where a tip has placed her. It’s a middle-class home in a nice suburb. Children’s toys are strewn about the garden. I’m accompanied by Dennis and two of his coworkers—a former police officer and a former sheriff’s deputy. One of them takes the back while Dennis knocks. A woman still in her nightclothes answers. She does not seem surprised to have four men knocking at her door this early in the morning. She volunteers that we can search the house, and eventually we get the whole story from her.
“Chrissy,” our fugitive, is the woman’s niece. Chrissy was at the house two days before and may return. The once attractive young woman has had her life ruined by drugs. Or she has ruined her life with drugs—sometimes it’s hard to tell. She is now a heroin addict whose boyfriend regularly beats her. The aunt is momentarily shocked when we show her the photo. No, she doesn’t look like that anymore—her hair is brown, her face is covered with scabs and usually bruised, and she weighs maybe 85 pounds. “Be gentle with her,” the aunt says, even though, she predicts, “she will probably fight.”
The aunt gives us another location to scout: a parking lot where Chrissy and her mother are supposedly living out of a car. We are about to leave when the aunt thanks us for being quiet, because there’s a child in the house who was scared the last time the police came by. The child is Chrissy’s son. We drive to the location and look for the car. Dennis and his deputies see what looks like the vehicle and knock on one of the dirty windows, peering intently into the interior. The car is empty. Dennis and his deputies will return later.
What it takes to be a successful bounty hunter is mostly persistence and politeness. On most days your leads don’t pay off, so you need to visit and revisit the fugitive’s home, work, and favorite hangouts. Waiting is a big part of the game. Why politeness? Well, where do the leads come from? From people like Chrissy’s aunt—relatives and friends who might not talk to the police but who will respond to a kind word. Bounty hunters are polite even to the fugitives who, after all, are also their customers, and sadly, bounty hunters rely a lot on repeat business. One customer of a firm owned by the same family that runs the one Dennis works for told him proudly, “My family and I have been coming to Frank’s Bail Bonds for three generations.”
Most fugitives don’t fight, and Dennis is eager to avoid confrontation. Cowboys don’t last long in this business. Most bounty hunters have a working relationship with police officers and will sometimes call on them to make the arrest once a fugitive has been located.
A bounty hunter also benefits from being prepared. A typical application for a bond, for example, requires information about the defendant’s residence, employer, former employer, spouse, children (along with their names and schools), spouse’s employer, mother, father, automobile (including description, tags, and financing), union membership, previous arrests, and so forth. In addition, bond dealers need access to all kinds of public and private databases. Noted bounty hunter Bob Burton says that a list of friends who work at the telephone, gas, or electric utility, the post office, welfare agencies, and in law enforcement is a major asset. Today, familiarity with the Internet and computer databases is a must.
Good bond dealers master the tricks of their trade. The first three digits of a Social Security number, for example, indicate the state where the number was issued. This information can suggest that an applicant might be lying if he claims to have been born elsewhere, and it may provide a clue about where a skipped defendant has family or friends.
If at all possible, bail bondsmen get a friend or family member to cosign the bond. The reason is simple. A defendant whose bond is cosigned is less likely to flee. As Dennis told me, “In my line of work, I deal with some mean people, people who aren’t afraid of me or the police. But even the mean ones are afraid of their mom, so if I can get Mom to list her house as collateral, I know the defendant is much more likely to show up when he is supposed to.” A defendant whose bond is cosigned is also more likely to be caught if he does flee, because the bondsman will remind the cosigner that if the fugitive can’t be found, it’s not just the bondsman who will be left holding the bag.
Bounty hunters have robust rights to arrest fugitives. They can, for example, lawfully break into a suspect’s home without a warrant, pursue and recover fugitives across state lines without necessity of extradition proceedings, and search and seize without the constraint of the Fourth Amendment’s “reasonableness” requirement. Just like everyone else, however, bounty hunters must obey the criminal statutes. A bounty hunter who uses unreasonable force or mistakenly enters the home of someone who is not a bail jumper is subject to criminal prosecution.
The prerogatives of bounty hunters flow from the historical evolution of bail. Bail began in medieval England as a progressive measure to help defendants get out of jail while they waited, sometimes for many months, for a roving judge to show up to conduct a trial. If the local sheriff knew the accused, he might release him on the defendant’s promise to return for the hearing. More often, however, the sheriff would release the accused to the custody of a surety, usually a brother or friend, who guaranteed that the defendant would present himself when the time came. So, in the common law, custody of the accused was never relinquished but instead was transferred to the surety—the brother became the keeper—which explains the origin of the strong rights bail bondsmen have to pursue and capture escaped defendants. Initially, the surety’s guarantee to the sheriff was simple: If the accused failed to show, the surety would take his place and be judged as if he were the offender.
The English system provided lots of incentives for sureties to make certain that the accused showed up for trial, but not a lot of incentive to be a surety. The risk to sureties was lessened when courts began to accept pledges of cash rather than of one’s person, but the system was not perfected until personal surety was slowly replaced by a commercial surety system in the United States. That system put incentives on both sides of the equation. Bondsmen had an incentive both to bail defendants out of jail and to chase them down should they flee. By the end of the 19th century, commercial sureties were the norm in the United States. (The Philippines is the only other country with a similar system.)
Bail was widely admired as a progressive institution when the alternative was jail, but in the 1950s and ’60s many judges and law professors began to think that the alternative to bail should be release on a defendant’s own recognizance. Bail looked increasingly like a conservative institution that kept people, especially poor people, in jail. Many opinion makers came to support the creation of pretrial services agencies that would investigate defendants and recommend to judges whether they could be safely released on their own recognizance. In essence, the agencies would replace the judgment of bail bondsmen with the judgment of a professional bureaucracy.
In the early 1960s, the Vera Institute of Justice’s Manhattan Bail Project in New York City began gathering information about local defendants’ community ties and residential and employment stability and summarizing it in a numerical scoring system that it used to identify those who could be recommended for release on their own recognizance. The experiment was successful. The failure-to-appear rate among felony defendants the project recommended for release was no higher than the rate among those released on bail. Largely on the basis of these results, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Federal Bail Reform Act of 1966, which created a presumption in favor of releasing defendants on their own recognizance.
Although the new law applied only to the federal courts, the states have widely emulated the reforms. Every state now has some kind of pretrial services program, and four (Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin) have outlawed commercial bail altogether. In its place, Illinois introduced the government bail or “deposit bond” system. The defendant is required to deposit with the court a small percentage of the face value of the bond. If the defendant fails to appear, he may lose the deposit and be held liable for the full value of the bond. But while a defendant in a commercial bail system who shows up in court must still pay the bondsman a fee, those who do so in jurisdictions with systems like Illinois’s get all their money back (less a small service fee in some cases). And the only people empowered to chase down a defendant who has fled are the police.
The results of the Manhattan Bail Project seemed to support the position of progressives who argued that commercial bail was unnecessary. But all that the findings really demonstrated was that a few carefully selected felony defendants could be safely released on their own recognizance. In reality, the project allowed relatively few defendants to be let go and so could easily cherry pick those who were most likely to appear at trial. As pretrial release programs expanded in the late 1960s and early ’70s, failure-to-appear rates increased.
Today, when a defendant fails to appear, an arrest warrant is issued. But if the defendant was released on his own recognizance or on government bail, very little else happens. In many states and cities, the police are overwhelmed with outstanding arrest warrants. In California, about two million warrants have gone unserved. Many are for minor offenses, but hundreds of thousands are for felonies, including thousands of homicides.
In Philadelphia, where commercial bail has been regulated out of existence, The Philadelphia Inquirer recently found that “fugitives jump bail . . . with virtual impunity.” At the end of 2009, the City of Brotherly Love had more than 47,000 unserved arrest warrants. About the only time the city’s bail jumpers are recaptured is when they are arrested for some other crime. One would expect that a criminal on the lam would be careful not to get caught speeding, but foresight is rarely a prominent characteristic of bail jumpers. Routine stops ensnare more than a few of them. When the jails are crowded, however, even serial bail jumpers are often released.
The backlog of unserved warrants has become so bad that Philadelphia and many other cities with similar systems, including Washington, D.C., Indianapolis, and Phoenix, have held “safe surrender” days when fugitives are promised leniency if they turn themselves in at a local church or other neutral location. (Some safe surrender programs even advertise on-site child care.) That’s good for the fugitives, but for victims of crime, both past and future, justice delayed is justice denied.
Unserved warrants tend not to pile up in jurisdictions with commercial bondsmen. In those places, the bail bond agent is on the hook for the bond and thus has a strong incentive to bring those who jump bail to justice. My interest in commercial bail and bounty hunting began when economist Eric Helland and I used data on 36,231 felony defendants released between 1988 and 1996 to investigate the differences between the public and private systems of bail and fugitive recovery. Our study, published in TheJournal of Law and Economics in 2004, is the largest and most comprehensive ever written on the bail system.
Our research backs up what I found on the street: Bail bondsmen and bounty hunters get their charges to show up for trial, and they recapture them quickly when they do flee. Nationally, the failure-to-appear rate for defendants released on commercial bail is 28 percent lower than the rate for defendants released on their own recognizance, and 18 percent lower than the rate for those released on government bond.
Even more important, when a defendant does skip town, the bounty hunters are the ones who pursue justice with the greatest determination and energy. Defendants sought by bounty hunters are a whopping 50 percent less likely to be on the loose after one year than other bail jumpers.
In addition to being effective, bail bondsmen and bounty hunters work at no cost to the taxpayers. The public reaps a double benefit, because when a bounty hunter fails to find his man, the bond is forfeit to the government. Because billions of dollars of bail are written every year and not every fugitive is caught, bond forfeits are a small but welcome source of revenue. At the federal level, forfeits help fund the Crime Victim Fund, which does what its name suggests, and in states such as Virginia and North Carolina they yield millions of dollars for public schools. Indeed, budget shortfalls around the nation are leading to a reconsideration of commercial bail. Oregon, which banned commercial bail in 1974, is considering a controversial bill to reinstate it, and even Illinois, nearly 50 years after establishing its alternative system, may once again allow bail bondsmen.
Bail bondsmen monitor defendants, guide them through the court process, and help them show up for trial. When defendants skip town, it’s the bounty hunters who track them down. But despite the benefits of commercial bail, bondsmen and bounty hunters don’t get a lot of thanks. The American Bar Association has said that the commercial bail business is “tawdry,” and Supreme Court justice Harry Blackmun once called it “odorous.” After Dog Chapman arrested the serial rapist Andrew Luster and delivered him to the Mexican police, Dog was the one who ended up in jail. Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico, and Chapman was charged with kidnapping despite the fact that (according to him) he had a local police officer with him at the time of the arrest. It surely didn’t help Chapman’s case that he was not trying to recover a bond that he had posted, since Luster had put up his own money. Luster was quickly extradited by the FBI, which offered Chapman no gratitude or assistance with the Mexican authorities. As if to rub salt in the wound, the judge in the Luster case refused even to reimburse Chapman for his expenses out of the $1 million Luster had forfeited.
Dog Chapman’s television show has brought him and the bail bond industry plenty of fame and notoriety, but Chapman is a controversial figure among bondsmen. The famed bounty hunter’s checkered history includes prison time, drug abuse, and charges of racism, and many bondsmen think that “Dog” doesn’t do much for their image. Bondsmen don’t want to be the dogs of criminal justice; they want to be recognized as professionals working alongside police, lawyers, and judges. They are tired of being called “odorous.” Bounty hunters want some respect. The record shows that they’ve earned it.
Full text article PDF available here.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Morgans Point, TX
The Harris County Sheriff's Office is the largest sheriff's office in Texas and the third largest in the United States. Our more than 4,000 employees are committed to the safety of the nearly 4 million residents who call Harris County home.
Harris County Sheriff's Office:
1200 Baker St.
Houston, TX 77002
Visiting an inmate incarcerated in one of the Harris County Sheriffs office jails?
Office jails located in downtown Houston begins by entering the main lobby of the jail the inmate is assigned to, whether at the:
1200 Baker Street Jail
1307 Baker Street Jail
701 N. San Jacinto Street Jail
711 N. San Jacinto Jail.
Visitation requests are accepted at all jail facilities:
Monday through Friday: 5:00 PM-8:40 PM
Saturday, Sunday, holidays: 8:00 AM-10:40 AM and 5:00 PM-8:40 PM
Inmates are only allowed one visit per day.
Attorneys may visit any jail location 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
No ministers visits will be allowed at any jail location from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM daily.
Visits to inmates at hospitals must be Pre-approved by personnel at the Medical Division, phone number 713.755.9205
If you are unsure of the inmate's location, each facility has book in the Visitation Information area of the lobby that will advise what jail and where in the facility the inmate is located. All jails are located within one block of each other.
Do you need a bail bond in Morgans Point, Texas?
Cash Bond
Cash bonds may be posted at the bonding window located on the first floor of the 49 North San Jacinto Building. You may post a cash bond by paying the full amount of the bond in cash, cashier's check, or money order.
Surety Bonds
You may post a surety bond with a bonding company, such as AIA. The bonding company, such as any company that is part of the ExpertBail Network, will then post the bond for you. The bonding company will charge you a fee for this service.
Harris County Sheriff's Office:
1200 Baker St.
Houston, TX 77002
Visiting an inmate incarcerated in one of the Harris County Sheriffs office jails?
Office jails located in downtown Houston begins by entering the main lobby of the jail the inmate is assigned to, whether at the:
1200 Baker Street Jail
1307 Baker Street Jail
701 N. San Jacinto Street Jail
711 N. San Jacinto Jail.
Visitation requests are accepted at all jail facilities:
Monday through Friday: 5:00 PM-8:40 PM
Saturday, Sunday, holidays: 8:00 AM-10:40 AM and 5:00 PM-8:40 PM
Inmates are only allowed one visit per day.
Attorneys may visit any jail location 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
No ministers visits will be allowed at any jail location from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM daily.
Visits to inmates at hospitals must be Pre-approved by personnel at the Medical Division, phone number 713.755.9205
If you are unsure of the inmate's location, each facility has book in the Visitation Information area of the lobby that will advise what jail and where in the facility the inmate is located. All jails are located within one block of each other.
Do you need a bail bond in Morgans Point, Texas?
Cash Bond
Cash bonds may be posted at the bonding window located on the first floor of the 49 North San Jacinto Building. You may post a cash bond by paying the full amount of the bond in cash, cashier's check, or money order.
Surety Bonds
You may post a surety bond with a bonding company, such as AIA. The bonding company, such as any company that is part of the ExpertBail Network, will then post the bond for you. The bonding company will charge you a fee for this service.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is the most populous city in California and the second most populous in the United States, with 3.8 million people. Read more if you are in need of a bail bondsman or locating a nearby jail in L.A., CA.
Men's Central Jail
441 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Bus. Phone: 213-974-4916
Inmate Information: 213-473-6100
Visiting: Thursday through Sunday; 10am - 3pm and 5 pm - 7pm
General mail address for all inmates is as follows:
Inmate Name, Booking Number
PO BOX 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Men's Central Jail is committed to providing the public with a safe, secure and pleasant environment where inmate visits are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and facility policies. Please call the Inmate Information Center at (213) 473-6100 prior to your arrival at Men's Central Jail to determine if the inmate you intend to visit is allowed a visit and if there are any special restrictions on their visiting privilege. Generally if an inmate is attending court on any given day they will not be allowed a visit for that day.
When a person is arrested, he or she may have the opportunity to pay bail. This is a payment that the arrested person may be able to make to the court in order to leave jail until trial. The payment is a way that the court can help ensure that the accused will appear at any future court dates. In some cases, the amount of bail may be more than the accused can pay by him or herself. In these cases, bail bonds may be useful since they allow people to pay some percentage of their bail — often 10% — with a bail bonding agency putting up the rest.
If you are in need of a trustworthy and professional bail bond agent in Los Angeles, CA, call ExpertBail at 800.938.2245. The ExpertBail Network is comprised of a family of the most experienced and highest quality bail agents in the industry
Men's Central Jail
441 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Bus. Phone: 213-974-4916
Inmate Information: 213-473-6100
Visiting: Thursday through Sunday; 10am - 3pm and 5 pm - 7pm
General mail address for all inmates is as follows:
Inmate Name, Booking Number
PO BOX 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Men's Central Jail is committed to providing the public with a safe, secure and pleasant environment where inmate visits are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and facility policies. Please call the Inmate Information Center at (213) 473-6100 prior to your arrival at Men's Central Jail to determine if the inmate you intend to visit is allowed a visit and if there are any special restrictions on their visiting privilege. Generally if an inmate is attending court on any given day they will not be allowed a visit for that day.
When a person is arrested, he or she may have the opportunity to pay bail. This is a payment that the arrested person may be able to make to the court in order to leave jail until trial. The payment is a way that the court can help ensure that the accused will appear at any future court dates. In some cases, the amount of bail may be more than the accused can pay by him or herself. In these cases, bail bonds may be useful since they allow people to pay some percentage of their bail — often 10% — with a bail bonding agency putting up the rest.
If you are in need of a trustworthy and professional bail bond agent in Los Angeles, CA, call ExpertBail at 800.938.2245. The ExpertBail Network is comprised of a family of the most experienced and highest quality bail agents in the industry
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Atlantic County, New Jersey
The Gerard L. Gormley Justice Facility in Atlantic County, New Jersey opened in 1985 and was built to house 398 inmates. Since that time, the facility has undergone substantial growth and expansion. It now houses an average 1000 inmates with custody jurisdiction over an additional 250 inmates who are sentenced to various community programs. The Facility has two main sections, the Main Jail Building and the Main Jail Annex.
A nationally recognized leader in county correctional facilities, the Atlantic County Department of Public Safety is charged with the operation of the Justice Facility. The New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts has recognized the Justice Facility's inmate classification program by incorporating it into their statewide computer system for use by all associated counties in New Jersey. In October, 1997, the Justice Facility opened its own Correction Officers Academy, certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission, and graduating its first class in January 1998. The Academy training at the Canale Training Center trains all Atlantic County Correction Officers and will accept trainees from other New Jersey Counties.
THE ATLANTIC COUNTY GERARD L. GORMLEY JUSTICE FACILITY
5060 Atlantic Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ
Main Telephone Number - (609) 645-5855
Bail Bond Agent Information:
Is someone you know in trouble and in need of a bail bond in Atlantic County, New Jersey? Follow the link to find a trusted bail bond agent.
Click on the following link for jail information, such as: visiting hours, requirements, phone numbers and more.
A nationally recognized leader in county correctional facilities, the Atlantic County Department of Public Safety is charged with the operation of the Justice Facility. The New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts has recognized the Justice Facility's inmate classification program by incorporating it into their statewide computer system for use by all associated counties in New Jersey. In October, 1997, the Justice Facility opened its own Correction Officers Academy, certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission, and graduating its first class in January 1998. The Academy training at the Canale Training Center trains all Atlantic County Correction Officers and will accept trainees from other New Jersey Counties.
THE ATLANTIC COUNTY GERARD L. GORMLEY JUSTICE FACILITY
5060 Atlantic Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ
Main Telephone Number - (609) 645-5855
Bail Bond Agent Information:
Is someone you know in trouble and in need of a bail bond in Atlantic County, New Jersey? Follow the link to find a trusted bail bond agent.
Click on the following link for jail information, such as: visiting hours, requirements, phone numbers and more.
What is a Bounty Hunter?
A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward. A bounty hunter is also known as a bail enforcement agent, fugitive recovery agent, skip tracer, and bail fugitive investigator. Bounty hunters are often hired by bail agents to locate, arrest, and return the fugitive to the jurisdiction of the court. Bounty hunters must be properly licensed according to the laws of each state.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Making a Difference: Timothy Darren Brown
Timothy Darren Brown considers himself a North Carolinian through and through. Born and raised in Guilford County, Darren has always been supportive of his state and local community. And that continues today, where he still plays an active role in his community through his church and local sports programs. Not only that, Darren has run for City Council and plans on seeking office in the next term. Believe it or not, the love for his community is a key driver for why Darren decided to get into the bail bond business. From a young age, Darren has watched many of his friends take the wrong path in life. Luckily for them, he has always been there to help them in any way he can.
However, what makes Darren unique is not what he does for a living, but more importantly, what he does for others. He is the guy that everyone turns to in a pinch. He is the guy that you want on your side when you are in trouble. Even when dealing with families looking to bail out a loved one, Darren acts like a friend rather than a bondsman, presenting them with options that doesn’t always involve using his services…once again, another sign of his commitment to helping people and not just helping people get a bail bond.
This love of helping friends and family, and just about anyone else that comes by, is what makes Darren not only a great bail bond agent, but a great ExpertBail Agent. The next time you are in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, make sure you stop by and check out Darren at A Cut Above Inc. Thanks for all you do Darren, you are greatly appreciated.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Belknap County, New Hampshire
Located just southeast of the geographic center of the state in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, Belknap County was established in 1840 from portions of Strafford County. The Belknap County Jail staff consists of a Superintendent, Captain, three Sergeants and twenty uniformed officers. Other staff includes an administrative assistant, two full time and one part time nurse, one full time maintenance staff, the Programs Director and the Community Corrections Officer.
Belknap County, New Hampshire County Jail
Superintendent: Daniel P.Ward Sr.
Deputy Superintendent: David Berry
Belknap County Department of Corrections
76 County Drive
Laconia, NH 03246
603-527-5480
Fax: 603-527-5489
The physical plant is a mix of structures dating back to the 1860's. Renovations were made to the original cellblock in 1947, the House of Corrections was added in 1971, the Annex in 1979 and the newest and largest addition was completed in 1989. Historically, we have been attached, figuratively and literally, to the County Nursing Home and continue to derive food and laundry services from them.
Under State statue to ensure their appearance in court, the DOC houses all pre-trial inmates within the County charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses that are unable to make bail. We also house inmates that have been sentenced to a year or less, also for misdemeanor and felony offenses.
At maximum capacity, the facility can care for 110 inmates in housing areas we call "pods". There are several pods of varying sizes within the building and a Classification Officer determines initial housing assignments. The Classification Officer uses a number of factors to determine classification status, i.e: charges, pre-trial or sentenced, criminal history, history with the DOC, co-defendent issues and a host of other factors. There are three main classification categories: Minimum Security, Medium Security and Maximum Security, each with their own sub-category of special needs. Each week, a classification board, made up of the Lieutenant , the Programs Director and the Classification Officer reviews each new initial classification, interviews the inmate and makes modifications in classification status and housing assignment if necessary. The board also reviews all inmate classifications periodically, as well as after any disciplinary action.
If you are looking for a bail bond agent in Belknap County, New Hampshire, go to http://www.expertbail.com/. Just select the location where you need to have a bail agent help release your friend or loved one from jail. Then select a professional and trustworthy licensed bail bond agent from the list.
The Mission of the Belknap County of Corrections is to provide protection of society through the detention and confinement of pre-trial detainees and post-trial confines in a safe and secure condition. The Belknap County Department of Corrections will provide humane treatment of the offenders during their time of confinement. This will be accomplished by, complying with Constitutional Requirements, Correctional Standards, as well as providing physical and mental heath services and an opportunity for educational, religious, and recreational services.
It is the goal of the Belknap County Department of Corrections, through proper care from the staff, the offenders will leave no worse and possibly better then when he or she arrived at the facility. Care will be taken to insure positive growth and re-integration into the community upon their release.
Belknap County Department of Corrections is an All Non-Contact Visiting Facility.
Maximum Security
Monday Night: 5 pm to 6 pm
Saturday Morning: 9 am to 10 am
Medium Security
Tuesday Night: 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Saturday Afternoon: 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Minimum Security
Wednesday Evening 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Sunday Afternoon: 12 pm to 2:30 pm
All Female Visits
Thursday Night: 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Sunday Morning: 9 am to 10:30 am
Belknap County, New Hampshire County Jail
Superintendent: Daniel P.Ward Sr.
Deputy Superintendent: David Berry
Belknap County Department of Corrections
76 County Drive
Laconia, NH 03246
603-527-5480
Fax: 603-527-5489
The physical plant is a mix of structures dating back to the 1860's. Renovations were made to the original cellblock in 1947, the House of Corrections was added in 1971, the Annex in 1979 and the newest and largest addition was completed in 1989. Historically, we have been attached, figuratively and literally, to the County Nursing Home and continue to derive food and laundry services from them.
Under State statue to ensure their appearance in court, the DOC houses all pre-trial inmates within the County charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses that are unable to make bail. We also house inmates that have been sentenced to a year or less, also for misdemeanor and felony offenses.
At maximum capacity, the facility can care for 110 inmates in housing areas we call "pods". There are several pods of varying sizes within the building and a Classification Officer determines initial housing assignments. The Classification Officer uses a number of factors to determine classification status, i.e: charges, pre-trial or sentenced, criminal history, history with the DOC, co-defendent issues and a host of other factors. There are three main classification categories: Minimum Security, Medium Security and Maximum Security, each with their own sub-category of special needs. Each week, a classification board, made up of the Lieutenant , the Programs Director and the Classification Officer reviews each new initial classification, interviews the inmate and makes modifications in classification status and housing assignment if necessary. The board also reviews all inmate classifications periodically, as well as after any disciplinary action.
If you are looking for a bail bond agent in Belknap County, New Hampshire, go to http://www.expertbail.com/. Just select the location where you need to have a bail agent help release your friend or loved one from jail. Then select a professional and trustworthy licensed bail bond agent from the list.
The Mission of the Belknap County of Corrections is to provide protection of society through the detention and confinement of pre-trial detainees and post-trial confines in a safe and secure condition. The Belknap County Department of Corrections will provide humane treatment of the offenders during their time of confinement. This will be accomplished by, complying with Constitutional Requirements, Correctional Standards, as well as providing physical and mental heath services and an opportunity for educational, religious, and recreational services.
It is the goal of the Belknap County Department of Corrections, through proper care from the staff, the offenders will leave no worse and possibly better then when he or she arrived at the facility. Care will be taken to insure positive growth and re-integration into the community upon their release.
Belknap County Department of Corrections is an All Non-Contact Visiting Facility.
Maximum Security
Monday Night: 5 pm to 6 pm
Saturday Morning: 9 am to 10 am
Medium Security
Tuesday Night: 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Saturday Afternoon: 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Minimum Security
Wednesday Evening 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Sunday Afternoon: 12 pm to 2:30 pm
All Female Visits
Thursday Night: 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Sunday Morning: 9 am to 10:30 am
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Clark County, Nevada
Clark County, Nevada Jail 701 N Pecos Rd # K,
Las Vegas - (702) 455-3891
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is committed to their mission to protect the community through prevention, partnership and professional service. That commitment and dedication extends to the millions of visitors that Las Vegas plays host to each year. They are devoted to making the best police department in the country even better.
Feel free to contact the department with any questions, comments or concerns at 702-828-3394 or email pio@lvmpd.com.
Click on the following link if you know someone who has been incarcerated in Clark County, Nevada and is in need of a bail bondsman.
Area Commands:
Bolden Area Command
1851 Stella Lake
(702) 828-3347
Convention Center Area Command
750 Sierra Vista
(702) 828-6430
Downtown Area Command
621 North 9th St.
(702) 828-4348 and 828-4349
Enterprise
6975 W. Windmill Lane
(702) 828-2843 and 828-2844
Northeast Area Command
3750 Cecile Ave.
(702) 828-3403
Northwest Area Command
9850 W. Cheyenne
(702) 828-3426
South Central Area Command
4860 Las Vegas Blvd. South
(702) 828-8272
Southeast Area Command
3675 E. Harmon Ave.
(702) 828-3206
Las Vegas - (702) 455-3891
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is committed to their mission to protect the community through prevention, partnership and professional service. That commitment and dedication extends to the millions of visitors that Las Vegas plays host to each year. They are devoted to making the best police department in the country even better.
Feel free to contact the department with any questions, comments or concerns at 702-828-3394 or email pio@lvmpd.com.
Click on the following link if you know someone who has been incarcerated in Clark County, Nevada and is in need of a bail bondsman.
Area Commands:
Bolden Area Command
1851 Stella Lake
(702) 828-3347
Convention Center Area Command
750 Sierra Vista
(702) 828-6430
Downtown Area Command
621 North 9th St.
(702) 828-4348 and 828-4349
Enterprise
6975 W. Windmill Lane
(702) 828-2843 and 828-2844
Northeast Area Command
3750 Cecile Ave.
(702) 828-3403
Northwest Area Command
9850 W. Cheyenne
(702) 828-3426
South Central Area Command
4860 Las Vegas Blvd. South
(702) 828-8272
Southeast Area Command
3675 E. Harmon Ave.
(702) 828-3206
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Bail Bonds: Jerry Watson to be Interviewed on the Lars Larson National Radio Program
Bail Bonds: Jerry Watson to be Interviewed on the Lars Larson National Radio Program
We wanted to share a special “Media Alert” with everyone. AIA’s Chief Legal Officer, Jerry Watson, will be interviewed on the Lars Larson National Radio Program Thursday, February 17 at 4:30 PM (PST). He will be discussing the bail bond industry as well as talking about ExpertBail. If you would like to hear the interview please visit the following site to check the station and time of the program in your area, Lars Larson. As this is a nationally syndicated program, based on your location, the timing of the airing will vary. We will also post the interview tomorrow on our site in case you miss it.
ExpertBail Launches New Video Series to Educate Consumers on The Bail Bond Process
Calabasas, CA, February 15, 2011
What is a bail bond? How much do bail bonds cost? What role does collateral play in the bail bond process ? How can you find a trusted expert bail bondsman in your area? Have you ever wondered about the answers to any of these questions? If so, you are not alone. That is why ExperBail has recently launched a new set of Video Frequently Asked Questions on its website. These videos are designed to educate and inform consumers of what to look for and expect should they ever need to get a bail bond.
“We know the importance of education in our industry,” states Robert Kersnick, Chief Operating Officer for AIA, the nation’s oldest and largest family of bail bond insurance companies and creator of the ExpertBail Network. “Once people understand the bail bond process and the true role that bail bond agents play in getting defendants back to court, they can start to understand our industry and how we are making our communities safer every day.”
ExpertBail was created to serve as an all encompassing resource for anyone searching for anything having to do with the bail bond industry. This includes actually finding a bail agent near you. It’s important to recognize that any bail agent you find on expertbail.com isn’t “just” a bail bond agent. They are trusted members of the nation’s largest network of experienced and professional bail agents that are committed to servicing you at the highest level possible.
“Finding a bail agent is not something people do every day,” says Kersnick. “Through ExpertBail, we have created a simple process that provides a level of peace of mind that most people wouldn’t associate with the bail bond industry. With an ExpertBail Agent, you know that you are working with a true bail bond expert and will be well taken care of.”
For more information about how to find the best bail bond information on the web or how to find a trustworthy and reliable ExpertBail Agent anywhere in the country, visit http://www.expertbail.com/.
About ExpertBail
ExpertBail is the bail bond industry’s first true national bail bond network. Comprised of the most experienced and highest quality bail agents in the industry, ExpertBail helps consumers reduce the clutter in the bail marketplace and directs them towards a trusted, proven and experienced bail agent in a simple and transparent way. ExpertBail is backed by AIA, the oldest and largest family of bail bond insurance companies. With over 150 years of stability, trust and knowledge behind every bond written in the ExpertBail Network, our focus is on the consumer and helping them through a difficult time. The mission of ExpertBail and its network of agents is not only to meet the expectations of our customers, but to exceed them substantially.
What is a bail bond? How much do bail bonds cost? What role does collateral play in the bail bond process ? How can you find a trusted expert bail bondsman in your area? Have you ever wondered about the answers to any of these questions? If so, you are not alone. That is why ExperBail has recently launched a new set of Video Frequently Asked Questions on its website. These videos are designed to educate and inform consumers of what to look for and expect should they ever need to get a bail bond.
“We know the importance of education in our industry,” states Robert Kersnick, Chief Operating Officer for AIA, the nation’s oldest and largest family of bail bond insurance companies and creator of the ExpertBail Network. “Once people understand the bail bond process and the true role that bail bond agents play in getting defendants back to court, they can start to understand our industry and how we are making our communities safer every day.”
ExpertBail was created to serve as an all encompassing resource for anyone searching for anything having to do with the bail bond industry. This includes actually finding a bail agent near you. It’s important to recognize that any bail agent you find on expertbail.com isn’t “just” a bail bond agent. They are trusted members of the nation’s largest network of experienced and professional bail agents that are committed to servicing you at the highest level possible.
“Finding a bail agent is not something people do every day,” says Kersnick. “Through ExpertBail, we have created a simple process that provides a level of peace of mind that most people wouldn’t associate with the bail bond industry. With an ExpertBail Agent, you know that you are working with a true bail bond expert and will be well taken care of.”
For more information about how to find the best bail bond information on the web or how to find a trustworthy and reliable ExpertBail Agent anywhere in the country, visit http://www.expertbail.com/.
About ExpertBail
ExpertBail is the bail bond industry’s first true national bail bond network. Comprised of the most experienced and highest quality bail agents in the industry, ExpertBail helps consumers reduce the clutter in the bail marketplace and directs them towards a trusted, proven and experienced bail agent in a simple and transparent way. ExpertBail is backed by AIA, the oldest and largest family of bail bond insurance companies. With over 150 years of stability, trust and knowledge behind every bond written in the ExpertBail Network, our focus is on the consumer and helping them through a difficult time. The mission of ExpertBail and its network of agents is not only to meet the expectations of our customers, but to exceed them substantially.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Adams County, Nebraska
Adams County, Nebraska Jail
500 West 4th Street
Hastings, NE 68901-7654
(402) 461-7181
The Adams County Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement in the County.
The office is located in Room 126 on the first floor of the County Courthouse.
To report an emergency call .................................................911
Non-Emergency ...................................402-461-7181
Civil Process Division .........................402-461-7285
Jail Visiting Rules
Visiting hours begin at 1:30pm and end at 4:00pm Monday through Friday. Visits are by appointments only and can be made in person at the sheriff’s department or by phone.
Visitors must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian. Married persons under the age of 18 shall be considered an adult when visiting an incarcerated spouse.
A person is limited to two visits per week or one visit per week if special arraignments were made for an after hour visits.
Visitors must be able to provide approved identification prior to admission.
Visits are restricted to one-half hour per visitor per day.
Any Special visits, those requesting visits after normal hours or weekend visits are allowed under special circumstances and shall be approved by the Sheriff in advance.
Any items brought to the jail for inmates by visitors must be turned over to the staff for distribution to inmate. Letters and cards must be mailed to the inmate and will not be hand delivered.
To leave a message for an inmate you may call the inmate message phone at
402-461-7296; inmates do not receive incoming calls.
Any violation of the rules listed or inappropriate behavior during a visit will result in a person being prohibited from any future visits, and/or criminal charges.
Visiting rules and regulations are subject to change without notice and are at the discretion of the Adams County Sheriff.
Bail Bond InformationTo speak with a trustworthy and professional bail bondsman in Adams County, Nebraska, call 800.938.2245. ExpertBail Agents are professional bail bond agents that are committed to providing quality support to those in need.
500 West 4th Street
Hastings, NE 68901-7654
(402) 461-7181
The Adams County Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement in the County.
The office is located in Room 126 on the first floor of the County Courthouse.
To report an emergency call .................................................911
Non-Emergency ...................................402-461-7181
Civil Process Division .........................402-461-7285
Jail Visiting Rules
Visiting hours begin at 1:30pm and end at 4:00pm Monday through Friday. Visits are by appointments only and can be made in person at the sheriff’s department or by phone.
Visitors must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian. Married persons under the age of 18 shall be considered an adult when visiting an incarcerated spouse.
A person is limited to two visits per week or one visit per week if special arraignments were made for an after hour visits.
Visitors must be able to provide approved identification prior to admission.
Visits are restricted to one-half hour per visitor per day.
Any Special visits, those requesting visits after normal hours or weekend visits are allowed under special circumstances and shall be approved by the Sheriff in advance.
Any items brought to the jail for inmates by visitors must be turned over to the staff for distribution to inmate. Letters and cards must be mailed to the inmate and will not be hand delivered.
To leave a message for an inmate you may call the inmate message phone at
402-461-7296; inmates do not receive incoming calls.
Any violation of the rules listed or inappropriate behavior during a visit will result in a person being prohibited from any future visits, and/or criminal charges.
Visiting rules and regulations are subject to change without notice and are at the discretion of the Adams County Sheriff.
Bail Bond InformationTo speak with a trustworthy and professional bail bondsman in Adams County, Nebraska, call 800.938.2245. ExpertBail Agents are professional bail bond agents that are committed to providing quality support to those in need.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Big Horn, Montana
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Big Horn, Montana
If you ever find yourself in trouble and in need of a bail bond in Big Horn, Montana, rest at ease; ExpertBail is here to help. ExpertBail is the first national bail bond brand with with bail bond agents in every state that bail can be written. Our network of agents can service your needs no matter where you or the defendant is located. See below for specific Big Horn County Jail information.Big Horn County Jail:
121 W. 3rd Law Enforcement Annex
Hardin , MT 59034
(use alley entrance on east side of Courthouse)
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 905
Hardin , MT 59034
Office Hours
8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, Closed Holidays
Sheriff: Lawrence C. Big Hair Sr.
Sergeant: Rick Kruger
Emergency: dial 9-1-1
Dispatch: 406-665-9780
Office: 406-665-9790
Jail: 406-665-9792
Fax: 406-665-9797
MISSION STATEMENT
To maintain accessibility, accountability, efficiency and a sense of community, within the various functions of County government, while safeguarding the liberties of our citizens.
What is a surety bond? ExpertBail
A surety bond is a contract among three parties; the defendant, the court, and the bail agent. A bail bond is a type of surety bond used to secure the release from custody of a person charged with a criminal offense. The defendant or indemnitor will pay a premium in exchange for the bail bonding company's financial strength to extend surety credit. In the event of a forfeiture of the bond, the bonding company will pay the forfeiture, and will turn to the defendant or indemnitor for reimbursement.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
ExpertBail Agent: Tedd Wallace
When you look at someone’s professional resume, it is always pretty easy to see what that person does for a living. However, that is not true for ExpertBail Agent, Tedd Wallace, whose resume reads more like that of a modern day presidential candidate.
Here are a few highlights:
• Proudly served in the Marine Corps
• Licensed pilot
• Licensed SCUBA
• Member of the Pioneers of Alaska
• Educator (High School and Junior College) -28 years
• Stanford University Faculty - 2 years
• Sport Manager and Venue Director, Los Angeles Olympic Committee, Judo
• Director, National Football League/Stanford, Super Bowl XIX Stadium Development
• Owner and developer Los Gatos Brewing Company
And yes, he is also a bail agent, but not just any bail agent, an ExpertBail Agent. Even the “bail bond agent” portion of his resume is impressive. Tedd has been the owner of Tedd Wallace Bail Bonds in San Jose, CA for over 25 years. He also serves as President of the Santa Clara Bail Agents Association as well as is Vice President and Chairman of the Board of the California Bail Agents Association. To say Tedd likes to be involved is an understatement. To say everyone wants Tedd to be involved is an absolute truth.
Tedd brings a level of professionalism, experience, knowledge and excitement to the bail bond industry that very few agents can claim. His satisfied and loyal clients rely on him for that, and his ExpertBail colleagues thank him for it. Tedd you are a true role model and we are honored to call you an ExpertBail Agent.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Bail Bonds: Telling the ExpertBail Story
Many of you may remember that the ExpertBail team was headed to Austin, Texas this past week to inform a group of marketing professionals and internet strategists about the ExpertBail Story. Well, we are happy to report that the presentation was a success. AIA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Eric Granof, presented the full ExpertBail case study to a packed house at Marketing Profs 2011 Digital Marketing Forum. Other brands that were represented at the conference included Dell, Kodak, Pitney Bowes, AT&T Interactive, Citibank, Crutchfield Corporation, USAA and Intel to name a few. To say ExpertBail was included amongst a pretty amazing group of brands would be an understatement…and trust us when we say that we are humbled and proud to be on the same list as them.
The presentation went extremely well and we are confident that we opened the eyes of all who attended to the real story of bail…our story…the ExpertBail story. Following the presentation, we were interviewed by an independent blogger that writes for Marketing Profs, as well as for Eloqua, a marketing automation software. Watch the quick video interview with Eric Granof below.
Nationwide bail bonds. Anywhere. Anytime.
The presentation went extremely well and we are confident that we opened the eyes of all who attended to the real story of bail…our story…the ExpertBail story. Following the presentation, we were interviewed by an independent blogger that writes for Marketing Profs, as well as for Eloqua, a marketing automation software. Watch the quick video interview with Eric Granof below.
Nationwide bail bonds. Anywhere. Anytime.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Bail Bond Scam: Consumers Beware
We recently were informed by a member of the California Bail Agent Association that consumers should be aware of a scam going on in the bail bond industry. People who have recently conducted a transaction with a bail bond agent are being contacted by an unknown third party claiming to be the bail agent. They are asking people to re-verify their credit card information or saying they need to pay more for the bail bond or the defendant will be re-arrested.
If you are contacted directly by someone with a similar story, do not provide your information. Hang up and contact your bail bond agent to ensure that you are dealing with a legitimate request. Also, please contact the authorities and report any information you are able to collect.
Please feel free to contact the ExpertBail team at 800.938.2245 or communications@ExpertBail.com with any questions or comments.
Bail Bond & Jail Information for Pensacola, Florida
Bail Bond & Jail Information for Pensacola, Florida
County Jail:
2935 North L Street
Pensacola, FL 32501(850) 436-9650
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office features two detention facilities, the Escambia County Main Jail and the Central Booking and Detention facility. Between the two facilities, the Escambia County Jail houses approximately 1600 inmates. Each year, the Escambia County Jail books over 24,000 inmates.In 2009, the average daily population of the Escambia County Jail was 1,692, a slight decrease from 2008.
The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for providing the correctional facilities for all law enforcement agencies booking prisoners in Escambia County.
Inmate Information: 850.436.9829
Main Jail Control: 850.436.9831
Central Booking and Detention Control: 850.436.9180
Inmate Mail:
Send all correspondence to:
PO Box 17800
Pensacola, Florida 32522
The mission of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is to improve the quality of life and protect the property of all individuals in Escambia County by providing responsible, effective and efficient law enforcement services to prevent crime and enforce the law with integrity and fairness.
Do you know someone who is in need of a bail bond in Pensacola, Florida? ExpertBail is here to help. ExpertBail is the only true National Bail Bond Network. With bail bond agents in every state that bail can be written, the ExpertBail Network of Agents can service your needs no matter where you or the defendant is located.
County Jail:
2935 North L Street
Pensacola, FL 32501(850) 436-9650
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office features two detention facilities, the Escambia County Main Jail and the Central Booking and Detention facility. Between the two facilities, the Escambia County Jail houses approximately 1600 inmates. Each year, the Escambia County Jail books over 24,000 inmates.In 2009, the average daily population of the Escambia County Jail was 1,692, a slight decrease from 2008.
The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for providing the correctional facilities for all law enforcement agencies booking prisoners in Escambia County.
Inmate Information: 850.436.9829
Main Jail Control: 850.436.9831
Central Booking and Detention Control: 850.436.9180
Inmate Mail:
Send all correspondence to:
PO Box 17800
Pensacola, Florida 32522
The mission of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is to improve the quality of life and protect the property of all individuals in Escambia County by providing responsible, effective and efficient law enforcement services to prevent crime and enforce the law with integrity and fairness.
Do you know someone who is in need of a bail bond in Pensacola, Florida? ExpertBail is here to help. ExpertBail is the only true National Bail Bond Network. With bail bond agents in every state that bail can be written, the ExpertBail Network of Agents can service your needs no matter where you or the defendant is located.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Bail Bond TV Interview: Stephen Owens, ExpertBail Agent
ExpertBail Agent, Stephen Owens of Owens Bonding in Wichita Kansas, spoke with Sheryl Nutt on Channel 46’s Your Hour (a news magazine). Stephen provided an overview of the bail bond industry and described to the television audience the role that bail agents play as “a third party accountability system for the courts.” Stephen also helped explain that being a bail bond agent isn’t about risking his life to pursue criminals that have skipped out on their bail. According to Owens, if you do what you are supposed to do by properly assessing those you bail out and then monitor them to ensure they show up for court, you eliminate the number of those who skip. Even when they do miss a court date, those individuals are usually easily apprehended without any physical confrontation. This one fact alone challenges the stereotype and common misperception that bail agents run through the streets with bullet proof vests with guns ablazing. While this is a less dramatic reality, it is the reality of the bail bond industry.
Ms. Nutt also asked Steve how one should go about finding a bail agent. At this point, Steve introduced and explained the ExpertBail Network and the power behind the nation’s only true national bail bond brand. According to Owens, “ExpertBail is a national network comprised of the most trusted and professional bondsmen throughout the country.”
We will be posting the actual interview on our site shortly.
We are always happy to hear from our customers, whether it is a question or a comment. We are here to help with any situation and answer any questions. We invite you to contact our team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for any of the following reasons:
Calabasas, CA 91302
Tel: 800.938.BAIL
email: info@expertbail.com
Ms. Nutt also asked Steve how one should go about finding a bail agent. At this point, Steve introduced and explained the ExpertBail Network and the power behind the nation’s only true national bail bond brand. According to Owens, “ExpertBail is a national network comprised of the most trusted and professional bondsmen throughout the country.”
We will be posting the actual interview on our site shortly.
• Find an ExpertBail agent near you or your loved one
• Ask a question about our company or the bail bond process
• Comment or suggestions
26560 Agoura Road, Suite 100• Ask a question about our company or the bail bond process
• Comment or suggestions
Calabasas, CA 91302
Tel: 800.938.BAIL
email: info@expertbail.com
Friday, February 4, 2011
Bail Bonds & Jail Info: Adair County, Missouri
Jail Information:215 N. Franklin Street
Kirksville MO 63501
Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Administration: (660) 665-4644
Jail Admin: (660) 665-4644
Sheriff's Office: (660) 665-4644
Fax: (660) 785-3224
View Larger Map
Adair County Sheriff: Robert Hardwick
Types of Holds: Will House Out of County Daily Board ($): $35.00
Jail Size: 64 beds Ave. Pop: 45
Male Beds: 54 Female Beds: 8
Jail Administrator: John Axsom
Jail Contact Phone: (660) 665-4600
If you or someone you know is in need of a bail bond in Adair County , Missouri, ExpertBail is here to help. With bail bond agents in every state that bail can be written, the ExpertBail Network of Agents can service your needs no matter where you or the defendant is located.
Kirksville MO 63501
Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Administration: (660) 665-4644
Jail Admin: (660) 665-4644
Sheriff's Office: (660) 665-4644
Fax: (660) 785-3224
View Larger Map
Adair County Sheriff: Robert Hardwick
Types of Holds: Will House Out of County Daily Board ($): $35.00
Jail Size: 64 beds Ave. Pop: 45
Male Beds: 54 Female Beds: 8
Jail Administrator: John Axsom
Jail Contact Phone: (660) 665-4600
If you or someone you know is in need of a bail bond in Adair County , Missouri, ExpertBail is here to help. With bail bond agents in every state that bail can be written, the ExpertBail Network of Agents can service your needs no matter where you or the defendant is located.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Alcorn County, Mississippi
We are located at
305 South Fulton Drive
Corinth, Mississippi 38834
Phone: (662) 286-5521
Fax: (662) 286-7773
Our Jail Administrator: Pat Marlar
The Alcorn County Jail, is an 36 bed Tobacco Free Facility, it is designed to house County, State, Male and Female inmates. Inmates are not allowed to receive calls, Inmates are capable to make out going calls ONLY.
Visiting hours for the general population is Saturday between the hours 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Visiting hours for trusties is Sunday between the hours 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The visits are conducted within the Visitor center, The Visitor center is designed so that no physical contact can be made, as such no items will be delivered to any inmates.
Follow the link if you need a bail bond agent in Alcorn County, Mississippi.
The Sheriff's Office prides itself in community involvement. Not only do the people of Alcorn County support the efforts of local Youth programs, they help provide for them as well.
We're it not for the businesses, parents, and caring supporters who contribute time, money, and resources we would not be able to provide any of the services currently offered. The people of this county have opened their arms and hearts to the kids around them. They have paid for equipment, supported fund raising events, volunteered expertise to teach kids new skills and activities, and in the process they have proven to surrounding communities just how good things can be.
The officers and volunteers involved in this process work diligently and at length to earn that commitment. We appreciate the contribution jour friends and neighbors make and hope to repay it through the success of our endeavors. An American author, James Baldwyn, once said, "Our children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them". We hold such thinking dear and believe that the people supporting us appreciate the common sense approach we have taken to close the gap between having problems and needing solutions.
Give the businesses here, which help meet our needs, the first opportunity for your patronage. Support local charities first and get involved with your local school and civic activities. You might be surprised at the difference you make in your community… and in yourself.
Warmest regards......
Sheriff Charles Rinehart
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
EXPERTBAIL SUPER BOWL CONTEST
Guess the final score of the 2011 Super Bowl Game on ExpertBail's Facebook page to win an “ExpertBail Super Bowl Kit”. Be sure to specify which score belongs to which team (Packers 21, Steelers 24). Click the link below for terms & conditions. Good Luck!!
ExpertBail SuperBowl Contest
ExpertBail SuperBowl Contest
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Bail & Jail Info: Aitkin County, Minnesota
Aitkin County, located in North Central Minnesota, is home to over 16,000 residents. Its over 400 lakes attract anglers, boaters, and others who enjoy lake recreation, so that its population can triple in the summer months. Its trails invite walkers, hikers, bikers, and ATV riders. During the winter months, ice fishing and snowmobiling continue the outdoors tradition.
217 2nd St. NW, Room 185
Aitkin, MN 56431
Administration
218-927-7276
Health & Human Services
218-927-7200
800-328-3744
Highway Department
218-927-3741
Courts
218-927-7350
Sheriff's Department
218-927-7435
888-900-2138
Emergency - 911
Aitkin County Sheriff: Scott Turner
Non-emergency: 218-927-7435
Toll free: 888-900-2138
Dispatch and Jail Fax: 218-927-6887
Sheriff Fax: 218-927-7359
Email: sheriff2@co.aitkin.mn.us
The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens and visitors to all 1,828 square miles of Aitkin County.
The office provides this through the following services:
* 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point, dispatch and communications for all emergency services.
* A patrol division and criminal investigation unit for law enforcement.
* A boat and water unit to patrol more than 300 lakes and rivers in Aitkin County.
* A canine unit for contraband enforcement.
* A civil process and criminal warrants unit.
* A courtroom security unit.
* Associations with regional drug and gang task forces.
* A detention facility for housing persons in custody pending trial and after conviction and sentencing.
* Planning for large-scale disasters in the county.
Aitkin County Jail
Sheriff's Office Hours
Communications Center and Jail open 24 hours a day
Administration 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Sheriff: Scott Turner
Jail Administrator: Debra Hamilton
Assistant Jail Administrator: Jeremy Swensen
The Aitkin County Jail is an 89-bed facility housing men and women. 14 Corrections Officers provide a safe and humane detention facility for persons lawfully placed in our care. The facility holds people waiting for trial and people convicted of a crime who are sentenced. This facility has received a 100% inspection rating from the Minnesota Department of Corrections for the past 4 years.
The jail in its current configuration opened in 2002 as a remodel of the 1984 jail. The jail has both linear cellblocks and direction supervision type units.
Sentenced to Serve
The jail partners with Central Minnesota Community Corrections to provide the Sentenced-to-Serve program allowing offenders to shorten sentences or pay fines through community service.
Huber law (Work release) program
The Huber law allows non-violent sentenced offenders to remain employed while serving their sentence in jail. An offender is released to go to work and immediately returns to jail at the end of the workday. Offenders wishing to be placed on the Huber program must have it included in their sentence and have employment within 30 miles of the facility. To apply for the program, contact Karla White before you report to jail.
Pay to Stay
The jail offsets operational costs by charging offenders $20.00 per day to stay in the jail and through other fees assessed to relieve taxpayer burden. Offenders are given a payment plan and other options to pay their fees. Contact Jeremy Swenson with questions about the Pay to Stay program.
In addition, the jail does sell open beds to other counties to relieve their overcrowding on a space available basis.
Bail Bonds
A bail bond is the document that is presented to the court to secure the release of a defendant who is in custody, and to ensure the appearance of the defendant at all required court hearings. If you are in need of a bail bond agent, call 800.938.2245 or go to www.expertbail.com to find a trusted and professional bail agent.
217 2nd St. NW, Room 185
Aitkin, MN 56431
Administration
218-927-7276
Health & Human Services
218-927-7200
800-328-3744
Highway Department
218-927-3741
Courts
218-927-7350
Sheriff's Department
218-927-7435
888-900-2138
Emergency - 911
Aitkin County Sheriff: Scott Turner
Non-emergency: 218-927-7435
Toll free: 888-900-2138
Dispatch and Jail Fax: 218-927-6887
Sheriff Fax: 218-927-7359
Email: sheriff2@co.aitkin.mn.us
The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens and visitors to all 1,828 square miles of Aitkin County.
The office provides this through the following services:
* 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point, dispatch and communications for all emergency services.
* A patrol division and criminal investigation unit for law enforcement.
* A boat and water unit to patrol more than 300 lakes and rivers in Aitkin County.
* A canine unit for contraband enforcement.
* A civil process and criminal warrants unit.
* A courtroom security unit.
* Associations with regional drug and gang task forces.
* A detention facility for housing persons in custody pending trial and after conviction and sentencing.
* Planning for large-scale disasters in the county.
Aitkin County Jail
Sheriff's Office Hours
Communications Center and Jail open 24 hours a day
Administration 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Sheriff: Scott Turner
Jail Administrator: Debra Hamilton
Assistant Jail Administrator: Jeremy Swensen
The Aitkin County Jail is an 89-bed facility housing men and women. 14 Corrections Officers provide a safe and humane detention facility for persons lawfully placed in our care. The facility holds people waiting for trial and people convicted of a crime who are sentenced. This facility has received a 100% inspection rating from the Minnesota Department of Corrections for the past 4 years.
The jail in its current configuration opened in 2002 as a remodel of the 1984 jail. The jail has both linear cellblocks and direction supervision type units.
Sentenced to Serve
The jail partners with Central Minnesota Community Corrections to provide the Sentenced-to-Serve program allowing offenders to shorten sentences or pay fines through community service.
Huber law (Work release) program
The Huber law allows non-violent sentenced offenders to remain employed while serving their sentence in jail. An offender is released to go to work and immediately returns to jail at the end of the workday. Offenders wishing to be placed on the Huber program must have it included in their sentence and have employment within 30 miles of the facility. To apply for the program, contact Karla White before you report to jail.
Pay to Stay
The jail offsets operational costs by charging offenders $20.00 per day to stay in the jail and through other fees assessed to relieve taxpayer burden. Offenders are given a payment plan and other options to pay their fees. Contact Jeremy Swenson with questions about the Pay to Stay program.
In addition, the jail does sell open beds to other counties to relieve their overcrowding on a space available basis.
Bail Bonds
A bail bond is the document that is presented to the court to secure the release of a defendant who is in custody, and to ensure the appearance of the defendant at all required court hearings. If you are in need of a bail bond agent, call 800.938.2245 or go to www.expertbail.com to find a trusted and professional bail agent.
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