The system of bail, in one form or another, has existed since the Code of Hammurabi. Since those ancient times there has been devised no other method as efficient and effective at producing defendants, protecting the public, and at the same time protecting the rights of the accused, as the system we have today. Professional bail agents protect three distinct parties:

THE CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides an accused the right to a fair bail. Professional Bail Agents protect this right by ensuring an individual's freedom at a fair price. Not every defendant has the financial means to place large amounts of cash or property on deposit with the courts in order to secure his or her release. Many turn to bail agents for help in these matters. The professional bail agent brings an even playing field to the less priviledged members of society.

THE TAXPAYER

Estimates of the annual costs for maintaining a jail 'resident' fed, clothed, and housed, range from $27,000 to $41,000 per year. At any one time, our agencies monitor over 5,000 criminal defendants currently on bond. These figures represent an annual savings of MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THE VICTIM AND THE COURTS

When a bail agent executes a bond he or she accepts responsibility for the defendant's appearance in court. Professional bail agents do not take this responsibility lightly. Proper monitoring of a criminal defendant protects the public from criminal recidivism and ensures that the accused presents himself before the court to answer to the charges against him. If the bail agent is unable to bring the defendant before the court, that agent forfeits the full penal sum of the bond to the State or Federal Court. Forfeited bail is earmarked for victim's compensation programs, our children's schools and other community justice programs.

THE BAIL AGENT AS A COURT OFFICER AND ARM OF THE LAW

The responsible and professional bail agent plays a vital role in the recovery of fugitive defendants. Federal and State laws as well as a long tradition of common law grant licensed bail agents the power of arrest. Bail agents are simliar to federal court officers in that they are held to no jurisdictional boundaries when conducting recoveries within the United States borders. Bail agents do not have to manage their fugitives through long and complicated extradition procedures. A bail agent may cross state lines with their fugitive in custody with no further court process. The courts often rely on this 'Bondsman's Privilege' to get an absconder back into their jurisdiction. This privilege allows the bail agent to enforce his contract with the state and protect the public. Statistics show that bail agents apprehend over 35,000 fugitives from justice per year. Many times these are fugitives that law enforcement agencies have been UNABLE to find. This valuable service is accomplished AT NO COST TO THE PUBLIC.