The Country's finest Surety Bail Bond Agents

What are they up to today?

"Get political or get out of bail."

New Bill for Florida Bail Agents & Agencies
On March 19, 2002 the Florida Legislature passed SB 1916, which leaves the bill needing only the Governor's expected signature to become new law. This bill, which was a product of the Department of Insurance's "Blue Ribbon Bail Bond Panel", revives much of Section of 648, Florida Statues. To review these changes, choose a format: Florida Legislature Web Page or the complete Bill text in PDF.

Good news!

On June 1st, 2000, Governor Jeb Bush signed into law HB 607, an act relating to pretrial release. We believe these statutory revisions will benefit independent bail agents throughout the state of Florida. Thanks to all of you who sent faxes and e-mails to the Governor during the past month. Hats off to B.A.I.L. Florida, the Bail Agent's Independent League of Florida. Much of the credit belongs to Ed and Bill Sheppard, "Big" Mike Nefzger, Russell Baillie, Kim Palmer and the other leaders and active members of this new statewide association for bail bond agents. BAIL Florida introduced this bill early in the legislative session and they were tireless in their dogged efforts to see it through. Quite an accomplishment for what some of our so-called industry leaders continue to label a group of "disgruntled dissidents." 
Highlights of the bill include a much-needed revision of the requirement that any FTA results in a new bond of $2,000.00 or double the original bond, whichever is greater. Also, Pretrial Release programs may no longer release persons accused of violent crimes at first appearance with little or no accountability for either their own actions or public safety. The new law defines "dangerous crimes" as any of the following:

The legislative presumption in favor of release on nonmonetary conditions no longer applies for any individual charged with one of the above dangerous crimes. Furthermore, no person accused of such a crime may be released to the "supervision" of a publicly funded pretrial release service even after first appearance unless the program first provides a background check to the court. It's about time! Lastly, this law cleans up some of the ambiguities in the bill that was passed by the FSAA in 1996.
The law takes effect immediately. Please assist in educating the key players in your judicial circuit.

Alert!!

Stop H.R. 2964

We need every licensed Bail Agent's help! Help us to defeat H.R. 2964 as it presently stand in Congress. We need you to send e-mail and faxes to each and every member of the House of Representatives 106TH Congress COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY telling them that this bill in its current form would likely put you out of business! GET INVOLVED!

Find out what they're up to in Tallahassee today. Do you know who your legislators are?

Find out what they're up to in Washington this week. Do you know who your United States Congressman is? How about pending legislation that might affect what you do for a living? You can find out here. For instance: the pending bill titled "Bail Bond Fairness Act of 1997" is very good for our profession, and the deceivingly titled "Citizen Protection Act of 1998" (Defeated May 6!) could potentially put all bail bond agents out of business Read this if you have any doubts. Have you written your congressman lately? How about your United States Senator?

Good News!

New Bail Legislation passes. House Bill 607, which significantly revises provisions in Chapter 903 of the Florida Statutes passed unanimously in the House on April 6, 2000. The revisions are favorable to agents who write bail in Florida. 

Criminal Justice Links

Florida Statutes:

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