Editor's Note: The Bail News Round-up consists of news items that occurred over the previous week and upcoming industry events. If you have items you would like to contribute, please call us at (866) 411-2245 or click here.

This week, the AboutBail.com staff was busy talking about the New Haven bribery scandal, a case involving immigration bonds, and a great news story out of Ireland. Not to be missed this week: a story about a radio personality who approached a bail professional for a complete stranger. Here are the stories that kept us glued to the television and the newspapers this week:

Cops Fired Over Bail Bondsmen Bribe Scandal
A board of commissioners unanimously voted to terminate Lt. Billy White and Det. Justen Kasperzyk without benefits. Both men had hoped to retire after an FBI sting operation revealed allegations that the men were accepting bribes from bail bondsmen. Both officers have been charged. The ultimate decision as to whether the men will get to retire with benefits hinges on an April 12 meeting of the police and fire retirement board. (New Haven Independent, Apr. 5, 2007)

Indiana Bail Bondsman May Have to Pay Damages
Indiana bail bondsman Herbert Smith has been bringing cases before the Indiana courts for years, challenging the bond system of Gary County. He has never won a case and now it appears the county has had enough. The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that Smith must pay damages. According to the court, the damages are to cover the filing of what the court claims are "piecemeal attacks on Indiana's bail scheme." (NW Indiana Times, Apr. 5, 2007)

Sacramento Radio Show Host Hires Bail Agent, Gets Involved in Story
Most radio show personalities report the news - they don't make it. And most bail professionals are contacted by family members, not complete strangers, when someone needs bail. Yet, a news story from Sacramento turns all these assumptions on their head. South Sacramento resident Sou Saechinn shot and injured three men on his property who were trying to break into his car. The incident stirred up a controversy about how far people can go to protect their homes and possessions. The debate raged on a popular local talk show hosted by Tom Sullivan. Sullivan got so interested in the story and believed so strongly in it that he called a local bail bondsman, Greg "Topo" Padilla, and put up the 10% of Saechinn's bail. Padilla says that it is very rare for someone to come up with $3,000 (10%) of a $30,000 bail for a complete stranger. (CBS 13, Apr. 4, 2007)

Some Immigrants Denied Bond, Others Continue to Work in the US
Last December, Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided six meat packing plants in Minnesota and arrested over 1,200 workers accused of being illegal immigrants. Now, it is reported that most of the employees are back at their jobs, most of them with new identities. Many of those arrested were charged with the use of unlawfully obtained documents, use of false documents for employment eligibility and identity theft. Some paid bond while others were ineligible for immigration bonds because of previous deportations. The case has stirred considerable controversy, especially since it appears that the companies hiring these workers face no charges at this time. (West Central Tribune, Apr. 5, 2007)

Ireland Looks to Overhaul Its Criminal Legislations, Faces Controversy
The Criminal Justice Bill before Ireland's lawmakers is stirring up all sorts of controversy - so much so that the opposition has pressured the government, for the second time in a week, to allow more time to debate the bill. The bill would give the authorities the right to hold suspects in tiger kidnappings for up to seven days. The bill would also allow the authorities to electronically tag suspects who are released on bail. Those found guilty of drug possession of 500,000 euros or more would automatically receive a jail term of ten years under the new legislation. (Evening Echo, Apr. 4, 2007)

California Bail Agents Association
2007 Pre-licensing Registration April 14-15, 2007 Los Angeles, CA click here for details		2007 Renewal License Education April 15, 2007 Los Angeles, CA click here for details
Bail Resource Center
Pre-Licensing Education
April 14-15, 2007 San Francisco, CA		April 21-22, 2007 Long Beach, CA
April 28-29, 2007 Sacramento, CA
Continuing Education
April 15, 2007 San Francisco, CA		April 22, 2007 Long Beach, CA
April 29, 2007 Sacramento, CA
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FSAA Continuing Education
Surviving an Agency Audit April 10, 2007 Ft. Lauderdale, FL		Use of Deadly Force for Lawful Self-Defense April 11, 2007 Stuart, FL
Chapter 648 Update April 12, 2007 Stuart, FL		Securing & Converting Collateral April 12, 2007 Live Oak, FL
Chapter 903 Update April 25, 2007 Tampa, FL		Use of Deadly Force for Lawful Self-Defense April 28, 2007 Winter Park, FL
click here for details on FSAA Continuing Ed events
Ohio Bail Agents Association
OBAA Quarterly Meeting April 14, 2007 Fairborn, OH click here for details
Mississippi Bail Agents Association
MBAA April Board Meeting April 11, 2007 Byram, MS
MBAA Continuing Education
April 10, 2007 New Albany, MS		April 12, 2007 Wiggins, MS
April 13, 2007 Pearl, MS
click here for details on all MBAA Events
North Carolina Bail Agents Association
NCBAA Pre-Licensing Classes
April 16 & 17, 2007 Raleigh, NC		May 14 & 15, 2007 Raleigh, NC
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NCBAA Continuing Education
May 5, 2007 Raleigh, NC
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South Carolina Bail Agents Association
Continuing Education April 11, 2007 Columbia, SC		SCBAA Meeting April 18, 2007 Columbia, SC
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Professional Bondsmen of Texas
2nd Quarterly Membership Meeting April 19-20, 2007 Houston, TX click here for details
Texas Bail Bond Courses April 20-21, 2007 Houston, TX click here for details
Washington State Bail Bond Agents Association
Spring Meeting May 3-4, 2007 Bellevue, WA click here for details