Month: August 2013

BAIL BOND SANFORD | “How to Avoid Bail Bond Scammers”

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Source         :  bailfl.net
By               :  Bail Florida
Category     :  BAIL BOND SANFORD
Posted By   : Help Bail Bond

BAIL BOND SANFORD
BAIL BOND SANFORD

When you’re under a high level of stress and dealing with an unfamiliar issue, you may be susceptible to scams.  Specifically, if either you or a loved one has been arrested, Bail Bond scammers may target you for one of their scams. We’ll use this article to make you aware of the top 4 scams so that you’ll recognize them and be protected.  Three of these scams are illegal and no honest Bail Bonds’ company would use any of these scams.

Top 4 Bail Bond Scams
Someone is trying to scam you if they are:

  •     Offering a discount on Bail Bond fees.
  •     Pulling a bait and switch.
  •     Hanging out at the jail and soliciting business.
  •     Soliciting business directly from you or a loved one

Offering a Discount on Bail Bond Fees

The law determines Bail Bond fees.  Fees can’t be lowered, raised, negotiated, or discounted.  Anyone who offers you a “discount” is breaking the law and you absolutely cannot trust him (or her). In most states, including Florida, county and state cases require a 10% Bail Bond fee. Because of higher risk, federal and immigration cases require a 15% Bail Bond fee. If someone tries to charge you more or less, it’s a scam and it’s illegal.

Pulling a Bait and Switch

Some Bail Bond scammers advertise a fee of 5% (which is an illegal fee); then, when they get you in their office, they tell you it’s 5% up front and you have to finance the rest – for a total of 10%.  Anybody who isn’t completely upfront about fees is dishonest and should be avoided.  Neither bait and switch nor financing a Bail Bond fee is illegal, but it’s a scam.  If someone advertises a fee lower than 10%, avoid them like the plague.

Hanging Out at The Jail and Soliciting Business

It’s illegal for a Bail Bondsman or a conman to go to the jail and try to get detainees or family members to hire them. That guy who takes your money at the jail may just be a conman, who disappears with your cash without providing any service.  A legitimate Bail Bondsman doesn’t advertise in person or go to the jail to get business. Most legitimate Bail Bondsman don’t even need to go to the jail to bail a client out; instead they have highly systemized electronic processes and handle everything from their offices.

If someone offers you Bail Bonds at the jail, walk away.  It’s illegal.

Soliciting Business Directly from Loved Ones Some scammers prowl the jail, pay informants, give kickbacks, and call loved ones of those arrested to ask for their business – all is totally illegal. Unless, your loved one who has been arrested has called the Bail Bondsman, they are NOT allowed to contact you. Either you or your loved one must initiate the relationship. A Bail Bondsman soliciting business, from a detainee’s loved ones, is illegal.

How to Identify a Legitimate Bail Bonds Service

You can get a referral from friends if someone has had a good experience with a Bail Bondsman.  In addition, you can use Bail by Phone at 877-422-4599 to avoid all scams.  These Florida Bail Bond Services are fully licensed, have more than 20 years of experience, always charge statutory required fees (and no more – and no less), never solicit business directly, will answer your questions at no charge, and will get your or your loved one out of jail (so long as the judge has set bail).

Source : bailfl.net/bail-blog/

How Bail Bond Work |”The Changing Definition of “Law and Order””

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Source      :  baconsrebellion.com
By               :  Press Release

How Bail Bond Work
How Bail Bond Work

Conservative thinking about crime and “law and order” is changing. When I wrote about overcrowding in Richmond city jail earlier this year, I had little inkling that there was a larger, national conservative movement to re-evaluate ways to reduce jail and prison populations. But it turns out there was. I was surprised to find that Governor Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli were in the forefront of the movement here in Virginia (although some of their efforts to reform the system were stymied by other conservatives in the General Assembly).

Now the Washington Post has taken notice of the fact that Cuccinelli — showing “a side of himself seemingly at odds with his reputation as a tough law-and-order conservative” — had personally championed the exoneration of  Thomas Haynesworth, wrongfully convicted of rape, and now argues “that a frugal government should be more discerning about whom it puts behind bars.”

I can’t speak for the rest of Virginia but here in the Richmond region, the City of Richmond has lead the way in re-thinking the criminal justice system. David Hicks, an aide to Mayor Dwight Jones, Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring and Sheriff C.T. Woody — all Democrats — have done a superb job figuring out how to reduce the prison population while also protecting the public from violent predators. Their work, which focuses on non-violent offenders, the mentally ill and pre-trial inmates, could serve as a model for other localities.

It appears that jail and prison reform is a rare instance of an idea that transcends partisan rivalries. Ds and Rs, liberals and conservatives, can  agree that it makes fiscal sense to reduce the number of inmates, whose incarceration costs taxpayers $25,o00 a year. It makes sense to treat the mentally ill in programs designed for the mentally ill, not to throw them in jail. It makes sense to help substance abusers kick the habit that drives them to petty criminality. It makes sense to reform bail-bond procedures that keep thousands of inmates across the state in jail without making it any more likely they will appear in court.

Crime is no longer a primary concern of Virginians, so enacting these reforms probably won’t be the top priority of many leigslators. But re-engineering the criminal justice system is something that likely can be accomplished without a lot of partisan rancor. We ought to do it.

How Bail Bond Work | “What Is an Appeal Bond?”

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Source      :  brainz.org
By              :   Brainz

How Bail Bond Work
How Bail Bond Work

An appeal is a process that involves contesting a judgment that has been handed down during a court hearing. It is typical for an appeal to be sought at a higher level of court since the judgment to be contested is usually final. Before a person can instigate an appeal, it is necessary for that person to post a bond. This bond is referred to as an appeal bond.

The purpose of an appeal bond is to reduce the risk of abuse of process. For example, if no appeal bond existed, then litigants would continuously be filing for appeal until they get the resolution they want. However, the existence of an appeal bond can prevent this from occurring, and appeals of real merit would be the only type of appeals that persisted in court.

Appeal bonds may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but such bonds usually require a specified amount of money that can pay the initial settlement in the event that the appeal is unsuccessful and the final judgment still holds.

It is most common for an appeal to occur during civil cases wherein a plaintiff is awarded damages to be provided for by the defendant. The defendant can either accept the amount and the judgment or contest either or both in an appeal. When the defendant chooses to appeal, he or she must post the appeal bond in order to prepare for the event that he or she must actually pay the damages stipulated by the initial judgment.

Expert Bail Bonds Services | “How Boes Bail Work And How Do Bail Bonds Work?”

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Source          :  bailbondsfreeguide.com
By               :    Bail Bonds Free Guide
Category      :  Expert Bail Bonds Services
Posted By    :  All Star Magic Bail Bond

Expert Bail Bonds Services- Finger Printing
Expert Bail Bonds Services– Finger Printing

IMPORTANT: If you need to arrange bail now, then read our simple step-by-step guide immediately and it will explain what you need to know about how bail works in your case. For obvious reasons, try not to leave someone in jail any longer than is necessary.

How do bail bonds work?

Because of my experience I get a lot of questions about the process. So I created this site of free tips, secrets and information about bail bonds. A bond is a surety pledge of money or property as bail that will guarantee a defendant will appear in court. This is usually done through a bail bond agent (or bondsman) who in most cases, must be licensed.  If the defendant does not appear in court, the bail agent forfeits the money.   We have also heard of it referred to as bailsbond, bell bonds, b bonds, bailbonds, bail books, and jail bonds but those are inaccurate spellings or words.

To understand how bail bonds work and to obtain one, you have two options:

How do bail bonds workThe first is cash bail. You pay the entire bail amount up front and when the person has finished all their court obligations, you will get the money back, less any fees and other costs. Because the rules for how do bail bonds work vary greatly by jurisdiction, you should check with the clerk to verify forms of payment accepted and what other options or restrictions are involved. There are some bail bond agents who will help you navigate this for a flat fee and explain to you how paying bail works. WARNING: there are serious consequences if the defendant misses any court dates. Your bail money may be forfeited, your collateral may be taken, the defendant’s information is entered into the NCIC nationwide fugitive database, and when the defendant is caught, they will no longer be eligible for bail. If you are posting bail for someone else, it is important to be clear about how do bail bonds work or you could find yourself out of a lot of money. TIP:If you are apprehensive about posting bail for someone and might be afraid they will skip bail, then when you email the bondsman, ask if they offer bail bonds pick up. If after posting bail, you feel there is a chance the defendant will not make their court appearances and skip bail, you can ask the bondsman to revoke your bail liability and pick up the defendant. This process allows you to say that you don’t want to be held responsible if this person becomes unreliable. There is usually a fee for this, and the defendant might be detained again, but it is better than losing your home.

The second option is to go through a bail bondsman. The bondsman may, or may not require collateral, depending on the amount needed and the history of the person needing the bail. They will post bail, and charge you a fee for the service. Click here for more information about how bail bondsman work. TIP: I asked a bondsman what was the one thing someone should always ask for if they are strapped for cash. His reply was that sometimes financing is available, often with ZERO interest, so always be sure to ask about it. WARNING: should the person who was bailed not show up for a court appearance, then a warrant will be issued and the bail bonds company may keep your collateral, and in some cases secure a bounty hunter.

How does bail work for federal bail bonds?

Federal bail bonds are different than the typical local or state bail bond.

  •     They require more work for the bondsman so the fees are usually higher, often 15% compared to the usual 10%.
  •     They are posted for criminal cases in a U.S. District Court House.
  •     How do bail bonds work for Nebia hearings? Most federal courts add a bail sufficiency requirement to the bond, which may be referred to as a Nebbia, Nebia Hearing, bail source Hearing or 1275 bail sufficiency hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to provide proof to the government prosecutors that the collateral used for the bond is from legitimate and legal sources.
  •     To understand how do bail bonds work for Nebia hearings, a good bail bondsman will help with the motion for the Nebia hearing, present the Nebia Proffer to the judge, and provide testimony regarding the origin of the premium and the collateral used for the bond.

This of course, will be different for probate bail bonds as well depending on the state.
A brief list of types of bail bonds

  • Surety bonds
  • Immigration bonds
  • Civil bonds
  • Federal bonds
  • Signature bonds
  • Child custody bonds

IMPORTANT: being arrested and requiring bail is a serious issue and the rules differ in different jurisdictions. I recommend contacting a bail bondsman by email for further questions and to understand how bail works in the jurisdiction of the arrest. Because of the nature of their business, they are usually quick to respond and are usually helpful. Their email and phone numbers are always clearly listed on their websites. Getting arrested can be overwhelming so getting a clear understanding about how do bail bonds work is important to minimize the harm that can come to the defendant.

Help Bail Bond | “Should the Government Bail Out the City of Detroit?”

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Source         :  prudentmoney.com
By          :   Prudent Money Daily Blog
Category     :  Help Bail Bond
Posted By   :  Bail Bond 24/7

Help Bail Bond
Help Bail Bond

When you think of Greece, you think of Detroit. Greece is a country in horrible financial dismay and on the verge of financial collapse just like its’ American counter-part Detroit. The only difference is that European governmental entities are misguided enough to continue bailing Greece out. Should our government do the same thing with Detroit?

Detroit has become the largest city in America to file for bankruptcy. They are buckling under billions of dollars of loans and pension retirement and health benefits. Should they be bailed out? Unfortunately, I think that the answer is a resounding no. It is time for us to start the process of getting past this toxic debt problem. That process starts with someone taking losses. Besides, it might be impossible to bring this city back to life. Let’s look at the facts:

  • The government already bailed out Detroit after the financial crisis by taking over the car industry. If the first hand-out didn’t work, a second one isn’t going to be the solution either.
  • The city has become a nightmare engulfed in crime and limited public services. It is reported that 66% of the ambulances don’t run, 40% of street lights don’t work, and the average response rate for the arrival of the police is 56 minutes, as compared to the national average of 11 minutes. Detroit is the most dangerous place in America to live. The sad part is that drug dealing might be the biggest industry left.
  • It takes almost all of the city’s tax revenue just to pay retirement benefits. Currently, retirees far outnumber active city workers. Said another way, workers who pay taxes are way outnumbered by retirees who benefit by those taxes.
  • Detroit has high taxes as it is, spending has been cut to the bone, the unemployment rate is one of the highest, and sinking property values limits their ability to raise tax revenues. There is an estimated 78,000 abandoned structures in Detroit.

That is just a start of a list that points to the unviability of Detroit. They need tax revenue. Who wants to move a business to Detroit?   Who wants to move there period? They are going to have to cut the retirement benefits of so many who depend on that money to live. That means a drastic cut in consumer spending as well. It is a vicious domino effect. Are we starting to see the grim after effects of fiscal irresponsibility of a country that has gotten by on debt? Will Detroit be one of the first cities to become a wasteland ruled by crime? This bankruptcy brings up many a questions and paints a picture of some of the darkest aspects of America.   The more unfortunate aspect of this story is the fact there are a whole host of cities that are not in much better shape, and facing the same unfortunate situation.

If the government bailed out Detroit, Washington would put themselves in a precarious situation. Cities with the same problem would now have the hope that Washington would bail them out as well. Our tax dollars cannot become their solution. Surely, the Government doesn’t want to get into the business of deciding who survives and who fails…….

Source :  prudentmoney.com/Prudent-Money-Daily-Blog/should-the-government-bail-out-the-city-of-detroit.html

Professional Bond Bail Service | “When The Bail Bondsman Isn’t A Man At All”

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Source          :  myfoxtampabay.com
By                  :   Kelly Ring
Category     :   Professional Bond Bail Service
Posted By    :   Expert Bail Bonds Services

Professional Bond Bail Service
Professional Bond Bail Service

TAMPA (FOX 13) –
The chases, takedowns, and foul language are all part of the job for bounty hunters, or at least the ones who play them on TV.”They think we’re doing nothing but chasing people down, carrying guns. It’s nothing like that,” said Bridgett Evans, owner of Bridgett’s Bail Bonds in Tampa. She’s not what you may expect to see in this job. “I get the, ‘Oh my gosh, you don’t look like a bondsman.'”

“They’re like, really, a bail bondsman? Oh my goodness,” echoed her co-worker, Samantha King.However, women now dominate the bail bonds business, with 51 percent of the businesses run by ladies.YouTube videos show so-called “lipstick bail bondsmen” in action, and shows like “Bounty Girls Miami” make the job look sexy and dangerous. “Bounty hunters are illegal in the state of Florida. Most people don’t realize that,” continued Bridgett, who wants to set the record straight. Bridgett doesn’t even carry a gun and says there’s nothing sexy about what she does all day long.

“I hate all of the paperwork and I hate that there are so many parties involved that can change somebody’s life drastically,” she said. Her job is making sure people get to their court dates. She said women are better at the job than men because they’re more understanding. “I don’t worry about neighborhoods, I don’t judge anybody by what I see on the screen. I treat everyone the same,” she said. She said she wouldn’t mind if her daughter joined in as the next generation of female bail bondsmen, partly because the reality is much different than the adrenaline rush you see on TV.

Source : // myfoxtampabay.com/story/22923713/2013/07/24/female-bail-bondsmen

Professional Bail Bond Service | “Law expert: Request For PR Bond For Ackerman Deemed ‘Very Unusual’ “

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Source          :   skyhidailynews.com
By                  :  Reid Tulley
Category     :  Professional Bail Bond Service
Posted By   :  Expert Bail Bonds Services

Professional Bail-Bond-Service
Professional Bail-Bond-Service

The decision to request a personal recognizance bond (PR bond) by the District Attorney’s Office of the 14th Judicial District in the case involving Lucas Paul Ackerman, 33, of Grand Lake, was “very unusual,” according to H. Patrick Furman, a clinical professor of law emeritus at University of Colorado’s School of Law.

Furman has been practicing criminal defense in Colorado for 30 years and has been teaching criminal defense for 20 years and believes the difference between what the District Attorney’s office and the judge in the case believed to be an appropriate bail for Ackerman was “massively different,” he said. “There must be something unusual that we don’t know about for a district attorney to modify a bond to personal recognizance,” Furman said. The request to modify Ackerman’s bail to a PR bond, which essentially means Ackerman would not have been obligated to pay any bail if he showed up to his next scheduled court appearance in 30 days or until a grand jury is convened and has completed its investigation of the case, came during his second appearance before Judge Mary Hoak in 14th Judicial District Court in Hot Sulphur Springs on July 9.

During Ackerman’s first appearance in court, District Attorney Brett Barkey requested his bail be doubled from $20,000 to $40,000 because he believed the case to be an “aggravated case” due to the number of victims involved and Ackerman’s criminal record. The motion by Assistant District Attorney Han Ng to reduce Ackerman’s bail to essentially nothing was struck down by Judge Hoak, as was a request by Ackerman’s attorney, Jack Dicola, to reduce his bail to $20,000.

“I’m not on board with reducing the bond,” Judge Hoak had said. Hoak commented the charges the man is facing are serious and are the kind of charges people will skip town on. The decision to request a PR bond was without support of the victims’ family, according to Ng, who said the family wanted Ackerman to remain in custody for public safety reasons. The Sky-Hi News tried several times to contact the district attorney and assistant district attorney for further comment on the case, but calls and emails were not returned by press time for this story.

Ackerman bailed out of jail at 7 p.m. following his second appearance in Grand County District Court.

It was during Ackerman’s second court appearance that the District Attorney’s office announced it was going to bring the case in front of a grand jury to decide what charges, if any, should be filed against the man, a decision Furman does not see as unusual. A grand jury is made up of citizens from across the 14th Judicial District, who have the power to complete investigations, request evidence, and subpoena witnesses. Grand juries are used for a number of reasons including allowing members of the community to weigh in on a case, or can be used to utilize investigative powers such as subpoenaing witnesses who are unwilling to speak to police, according to Furman.

Ng attributed the decision to convene a grand jury for having a “colorable defense,” he said last week. “The continued investigation has caused a question of whether there is a defense.” Ackerman was arrested and booked into Grand County Jail on July 4, in connection with an accident that took place in Grand Lake where the truck he was driving hit and killed one pedestrian and sent four others, including a 3 year-old, to Denver area hospitals with serious bodily injuries.

Ackerman’s blood alcohol content the night of the accident was allegedly 0.156, three times the BAC content for a DWAI (driving while ability impaired) and nearly twice the limit for a DUI (driving under the influence). The investigation is ongoing and grand jury proceedings are kept secret until an indictment is filed. If the grand jury decides to indict Ackerman, the District Attorney’s office will pursue those charges and will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty.

Source : Skyhidailynews.com/news/7334687-113/ackerman-district-grand-attorney

Help With Bail Bond | “New TN Bail Bond Law Triggers Concerns”

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Source        :  wbir.com
Category    :  Help Bail Bond
By          :   WBIR-TV Knoxville
Posted By   :  Professional Bail Bond Service

Help With Bail Bond
Help With Bail Bond

(THE TENNESSEAN) Defense lawyers and prosecutors are calling it a nightmare, while bail bondsmen say the judges of Davidson County are extorting them and usurping the legislature’s power – all over a new state law that doesn’t even fill a page.  The new law, which slipped through in the last legislative session, rewrites a portion of the state law on bail bonds by allowing bondsmen to avoid liability once a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty.

No longer will bondsmen remain liable until a defendant is actually sentenced.

A review of videotapes of House and Senate sessions shows there was little discussion of the bill, and confusion dominated what little discussion took place. Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, plainly told an inquiring colleague just before the final House vote that the bill would require the bonds to remain in effect until the time of sentencing.

“It requires the surety to remain in effect till sentencing,” Dean said in response to a question from Rep. William Lamberth, a Republican from Cottontown.  Instead, judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers say the law, which already has gone into effect, allows bondsmen to withdraw from a case at the time of a guilty plea or verdict, leaving the defendant liable to be put in jail or pay for another bond. Sentencing can come days or weeks after a plea is entered. Opponents say that if the defendant is jailed from the time of a guilty finding until sentencing, the state or county will have to pick up the cost of that additional jail time.

Emergency order

The new law prompted judges of Davidson County’s criminal court to issue a rare emergency order, which remains in effect indefinitely, requiring that bondsmen at least notify their clients of plans to revoke the bonds. It sets different requirements for bonds in effect before the May 6 effective date of the new law. Bonding companies failing to comply with the notice requirements risk having all bonding privileges in Davidson County suspended.

The order was signed by six criminal court judges, including Steve Dozier, who said the unusual order was issued “out of fairness to defendants and their lawyers who might not realize their bond could be altered. In theory they (defendants) could be put in jail.”

In some cases, Dozier said, defendants could be owed a refund.

Charles White, head of the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents, said the “very unusual” edict by the Davidson County judges amounts to “extortion. The judges have usurped the power of the legislature.” White said the association pushed for the change because the risk of flight increases once a defendant is found guilty.

“Once there is a guilty finding or a plea, our work is done,” White said, “but they want us to remain liable.” Under the bail bond system, the defendant pays the bondsman a percentage of the total to cover the premium on the bond. If a defendant flees, the bondsman would have to pay the court the full amount of the bail.

‘A nightmare’

Nashville defense attorney David Raybin said the order by the judges was an attempt to “regulate the new process to some degree.”  “A lot of people could be incarcerated unfairly,” Raybin said. Raybin said the unnecessary confinement also will mean added costs for incarcerating defendants awaiting sentencing. “It’s a nightmare,” said Rob McKinney, another defense lawyer. “It lets the bail bondsmen off the hook.” McKinney said he and fellow lawyers already are working on a bill to “close the loophole” created by the new law. But no action can come until next year when the legislature returns for a new session. “The judges have done a good job dealing with this,” he said. He said that bond agents he deals with have been cooperative.

PAC donations

Campaign finance records show that bail bondsmen have been supportive of many legislators, including Dean and the Senate sponsor of the new law, Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga. Both have received contributions from the Tennessee Volunteer PAC, the political action committee of the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Bond Agents. Overall, the bail bond PAC has donated just shy of $90,000 to Tennessee legislators since 2008.

When the House committee was voting on the bill, the lobbyist for the bail bond association sat directly behind Dean, nodding his head in agreement with Dean’s explanation. Lamberth, the legislator who raised questions about the bill, said he was pleased that another provision in the measure was eliminated. That provision would have set time limits on how long a bond would remain in effect, depending on the crime committed. As to Dean’s answer to his question, Lamberth said, “I can only assume it was a misunderstanding.” Dean also said it was a misunderstanding and added he would be willing to work out a correction.

“I try my best to work with everyone,” he said.

Source : wbir.com/news/article/283173/2/New-TN-bail-bond-law-triggers-concerns

Expert Bail Bonds Services |”Public Bail Explained”

Posted on Updated on

Source          :  premierebailbonds.com
Category      :  Expert Bail Bonds Services
By                   :  Sean_Cook
Posted By    :  Bail Bond 24/7

Expert Bail Bonds Services-Public-Bail-Judge
Expert Bail Bonds Services-Public-Bail-Judge

In the present era, bail has developed into several different forms, but essentially bail bonds given in the United States are either public bail or private bail. Public bail, generally known as the personal recognizance (p.r.) or release on recognizance bonds, allows the judge to say to the defendant, “I know you have been charged with a crime, however, I will trust you to come back when it is necessary to go to trial, and if you do not, I expect you to pay a certain forfeiture amount, for example, $10,000.00.” Pre-trial research is very limited, yet this form of public bail comprises nearly half of the people in jail today.

Personal recognizance bonds in some states and areas are given by judges, sheriffs, and others who are responsible and accountable, yet in some jurisdictions those granting p.r. bonds are not at all responsible to the public. For certain offenses, personal recognizance bonds are given by bail commissioners.

A second type of public bail bond given is the limited deposit bail bond. In this case, the judge says to the defendant, “You must put up ten percent of the bond to show good faith that you will come to court. If you do come to court, you will get ninety percent back of what you put up and ten percent will be charged as a service fee.” Therefore, on a $10,000 bond the criminal defendant will put up $1,000. If he comes to court on time, the case will be disposed of, and he will get back $900. If he fails to show up for court, he will lose the ten percent, and allegedly he can be sued for the other ninety percent. This type of bond can either be a judicial option or a defendant option, depending on the jurisdiction. In some states, the judges have the right to determine whether or not this type of bond will be available to the incarcerated party. In other states and jurisdictions, the defendant must always be offered the option of the ten percent.

In “defendant option”. states, the judge has really lost his ability to make bond determinations and only can set the amount of the bail bond.

Expert Bail Bonds Services | “Protect Yourself From Pickpockets While Abroad”

Posted on Updated on

Source           :  euroblawg.com
Category      :   Expert Bail Bonds Services
By                   :  EuroBlwaG
Posted By    :  How Bail Bond Work

Expert Bail Bonds Services
Expert Bail Bonds Services

Dealing with pickpockets and petty thieves while traveling abroad can be a daunting and often terrifying endeavor. From stealing your cash supply as you stroll through crowded streets to making off with your passport or other important documents before you get on your plane to leave, pickpockets can execute a variety of thefts that will only make your trip worse and your life more difficult.  But don’t fret–there are ways you can protect yourself from these sticky-fingered individuals. Here are some tips for protecting yourself from pickpockets while traveling so you can hang on to your valuables and have the trip of a lifetime.

Never Use Your Back Pocket

Pickpockets notoriously see the back pocket as the easiest to target on unsuspecting travelers. It is incredibly easy for trained pickpockets to remove a wallet from this area without the victim knowing or feeling a thing. Instead of carrying your wallet or other valuables in your back pocket, keep them in the front pocket of your pants, or opt to wear a money belt or pouch that you wear under your shirt. You can place all of your valuables inside, keeping them close to your body at all times, and out of the way of thieves.

Be Careful at ATMs

In many places it is impossible to only pay for items or services with a credit card, and eventually you will need to travel to an ATM in order to get some cash. If you decide to do this, make sure to follow a few precautionary steps. First, never travel to an ATM alone. Going in pairs can often deter pickpockets or thieves who don’t want to deal with an extra set of eyes on the lookout. Second, watch the mirror of the ATM. Most modern ATMs are equipped with mirrors that let you monitor the ground behind you. Keep an eye out to make sure no one suspicious approaches you. Finally, only take out small amounts at a time–if you end up being a victim, it’s better to only lose a few bills than your entire life savings.

Stay Away From Large Crowds

People that travel in large crowds are the easiest targets for pickpockets. Because there are so many individuals in one place, thieves can easily remove wallets and valuables without the victims knowing who committed the crime. Try to avoid these large crowds as much as possible, and if you find yourself part of the herd, be wary of your personal effects at all times.

Pack Well

If you are wearing a backpack for a day trip, keep the things you will need most at the top of your bag. If you have a guide book, a water bottle, or map, make sure that they are at the very top – if they are at the bottom of your bag, you will need to remove all of your items each time you want to consult these. This lets all of the pickpockets in the area know what it is you are carrying. Avoid this easily by packing smart beforehand.

Have Fun!

Pickpockets are a nuisance, and can put a damper on a great trip, but there is no reason to fret. Use these simple tips to avoid being the victim of a thief and have a trip that you will remember forever.