Author: tkanger

Indianapolis, IN - I was watching another electrifying episode of American Pickers last night when my phone rang.  I hit pause just as Mike Wolf was about to make an offer on a rusty Harley-Davidson bicycle frame.  The call came in from Memphis.  A high value fugitive was spotted living in a low rent hotel within ten miles of the Shelby County Jail. I had received a number of similar, “I know where AC is located” calls since the time Austin Carter failed to appear for sentencing in June, 2011.   Carter was looking at a lengthy prison sentence for multiple counts of attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault and using a firearm with intent to commit a felony.  He allegedly attempted to kill his wife and kids. Austin Carter is a…

Washington State, the only state to be named after a United States president, is home to Microsoft, Starbucks and the Green Darner Dragonfly.  It’s also home to some of the best bail agents in the country. Becky Magnuson is one such bail agent.  She’s a married mother of two and the owner of Able Bail Bonds in Kennewick, Washington.  A licensed bail and recovery agent since 1997, Becky has been affiliated with American Surety Company since 2002.  Becky is not afraid of hard work and is overtly passionate about her chosen profession, bail.  Not only is she running her own business, Becky also volunteers her time as the Treasurer of the Washington State Bail Agents Association and as the Greater Northwest Director for the Professional Bail Agents of the United…

Bail agents are constantly being depicted in a poor light as shady and untrustworthy.  Typically, those casting aspersions are ignorant of exactly what a bail agent does, their function and purpose. Earlier this week a Denver area bail agent recounted on his Facebook page an experience he had in court.  He had arrived early to a court hearing in Adams County.  The judge and criminal attorney, unaware the bail agent was in the court room and believing he was a no-show, began making derogatory comments about bail agents in general.  This agent, stood up, approached the bench and said he had been in court since 8 a.m. and he didn’t appreciate the remarks being made in open court.  The courtroom fell silent. I read this post and it really set…

One of my favorite TV shows is the HBO mythological series Game of Thrones.  For those of you who watch this series you’re familiar with the oft stated ominous warning of dread, “winter is coming”.   In the Game of Thrones winter can last ten years.  Well, winter is coming to the commercial bail bond industry and that’s no myth. The Indiana Legislature’s Commission on Courts held its final hearing of this summer study committee earlier this week.   Senator Brent Steele, Chair of the Commission, proposed changes to the statue that would in part allow a criminal defendant to choose how they want to secure their bond. Indiana Supreme Court Justice Brent Dickson and members of the Commission spoke in opposition to the proposed bill expressing concern the proposed changes would…

San Antonio, Texas - This is the last 4th quarter meeting for Professional Bondsmen of Texas, at least for the foreseeable future.  Beginning next year this venerable Texas bondsmen association will move to just two meetings a year.   Meetings are expected to be held in the Spring and Fall. Scott Walstad of Dallas is the head of this association and has done a fine job guiding the PBT board through fiscal reform.  Reducing the number of meetings from four to two is one such example of cost control. Most associations receive financial support through membership dues and continuing education.  It’s in the best interest of Texas bondsmen to obtain their required CE hours through a PBT sponsored class, as their tuition goes towards efforts to protect and preserve their profession. The…

Mason, Ohio is but a two hour drive from Indianapolis.  So, no early flight, airport security or peanuts and pretzels for me, just five o'clock traffic on the north loop around Cincinnati. Eddie Miller, President of the Ohio Bail Agents Association, gathered his members at the Kings Island Conference Center for their annual conference.   The Dog and Beth Show was invited which accounted for a slightly greater attendance than usual, even beyond the film crew and producers. The meeting's engaging speaker was Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Frank E. Green who spoke on the issue of  bail agents  soliciting in the courtroom and professional dress, a cause I champion.  Judge Green emphasized his support of bail agents and noted bail agents must dress for success. I returned to Indy for two nights before…

It was June 2011 when bail agents from around the State of Indiana answered the call to have a "Qualification Day" (watch video) in South Bend to register with the St. Joseph County clerk to write bail in that county. While this event was well attended it was largely symbolic.  St. Joseph County has not accepted a bail bond in more than 40 years. This northern Indiana county is notorious in our state for monopolizing the bail system with their 90% discount bonds. This cash bonds are purely intended to secure a defendant's payment of fines and costs and not to secure their appearance in court.  ABC57 News South Bend has picked up this story and earlier this week reporter Meghan Schiller filed her first of what is to be many reports…

An Arkansas county makes it easier for criminals to post cash, county to profit Why does a county of 98,000 citizens with outstanding warrants equal to ten percent of the population take steps to make it easier for criminal offenders to be released from jail unsupervised pending trial by posting a cash bond?  Could free money be the motivator? The reason is made clear in an article posted to Kait8.com by Jessi Turnure entitled Craighead County bail bond payment system goes digital.  This article posted August 23, 2013, puts a positive spin on how Craighead County District Court Clerk Joe Monroe has made it easier for those charged with criminal offenses to post cash bail using a credit card.  The Craighead County Sheriff’s Office is set to begin using the…

August 21, 2013 It’s Wednesday morning in Indianapolis.  I’m scheduled to teach an hour of continuing education today to a group of property and casualty agents on the issue of bail bonds.  In preparation, I got up early, showered and dressed in a pair of dark gray slacks, light pink shirt, dark pink tie with a light gray sport coat with light pink strips.   What can I say; I’m not afraid of pink. At every bail association meeting I’ve attended through the years, the issue of professional dress is almost always mentioned.  When it comes to professional attire, the bail industry gets very low marks and it most likely has to do with the hours a bail agent keeps, all 24 of them. One never knows when the bail line…

 The 24th Annual Steven G. Whitlock Memorial Golf Tournament was held at Iron Horse Golf Course in North Richland Hills, Texas, this past Wednesday, August 14.  American Surety Company is the title sponsor of this annual event produced by The Professional Bondsmen of Texas and The Whitlock Family. Tremendous financial support was received from the Texas bail bond community and bail agents and surety companies from around the country.  The bail bond profession is notoriously competitive though all this was set aside to raise money to assist 140 kids battling cancer to attend summer camp at Camp Esperanza. Doreen Bruner is the Executive Director for The Bridewell Foundation and Camp Esperanza.  During the awards ceremony Doreen told attendees the Steven G. Whitlock Memorial Golf Tournament has become the primary fundraiser…