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 past week, the staff at AboutBail.com had plenty to discuss. The news media was filled with stories about the bail industry. From another bounty hunting arrest in Mexico to legislation changes, here are the stories that captured our attention:

Bondsman in Louisiana Charged with Theft and Insurance Fraud
TEXAS - A Bondsman in the Rapides Parish region was arrested this past week by members of the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit. The man, Wayne Thomas, was charged with multiple counts of theft and Failure to Remit Insurance Premiums. The investigation leading to the arrest began when allegations were made that Thomas received payment for bonds, but never remitted the money to the bail bonding company. Since bail bonding is considered an act of insurance in Louisiana, the investigation was conducted by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. (Insurance Journal, May 2, 2007)

Revealing Study into Bond Industry
NORTH CAROLINA - A new study into the bond industry in Wake County has revealed the possibility of a bias. The study was conducted by a graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill and has raised questions about whether magistrates in the county set higher bond for African-American defendants than for white defendants. The student conducting the study investigated Wake County criminal databases for the year 2005. Specifically, the study looked at first-time offenders arrested on minor misdemeanors. Magistrates in the county have denied that race is a factor when setting bond and even faculty members have cautioned that the study requires further research and is not a condemnation of the bond system. (The News & Observer, Apr. 28, 2007)

Electronic Monitoring a Big Draw for Bail Bondsmen
UTAH - SecureAlert, a division of RemoteMDx, is the company keeping track of a number of criminals and accused felons. The company is keeping tabs on NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak, who is facing charges of trying to kidnap a romantic rival. The company's "electronic ball and chain" is also using GPS technology to track a number of other high-profile and high-risk felons. According to the company, courts, law enforcement agencies, bail bondsmen, and other professionals use the technology. The cost is about $8 daily per offender, which is considerably less than the $65 daily it usually costs to keep a felon in jail. (Cannel 5 KSL-TV, May 3, 2007)

CCC Online Booking Records Available to Bond Professionals, Public
LOUISIANA - Caddo Correctional Center (CCC) is now making its booking records available online in real time. From this past Tuesday, all it takes is an Internet connection to view who is being held in the Caddo parish jail. Whereas before bond professionals and family members had to call the CCC or look through masses of computer printouts in order to find the information, the facts are now easily available. This should save bond professionals significant time. The internet records will contain physical descriptions, booking photos, bond amounts, charges and any previous arrests. (The Shreveport Times, May 2, 2007)

Initial Approval on Immigrant Crime Bill
COLORADO - A controversial immigrant crime bill forwarded by an El Paso County lawmaker has received initial approval from the House. Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Monument received considerable support on HB1040 and final approval still needs to be granted before the bill can move to the Senate. The bill, however, has raised some concerns. Some are worried that if the bill passes, racial profiling could become a problem. Currently, arrested illegal immigrants are often deported before their trial date, which means that charges against them are usually dropped and their bond money refunded. Those felons who re-enter the country or do not actually leave cannot be charged again on the original charges. The new bill would mean that warrants would be issued before deportation, ensuring that the felons would stand trial on the first charges if they were re-arrested. (Colorado Springs Gazette, May 1, 2007)

Lawmakers in Stalemate over Bail Bond Bill
ALABAMA - Mobile County lawmakers are in a stalemate over proposed legislation. Part of the problem stems from a bill involving the bail bond industry. The bill would impose a $25 fee on bail bonds. The processing fee would have to be paid by offenders and the money would be used to support the Mobile County Law Enforcement and Firefighters' Pension Fund. Some are opposing the bill, however, claiming that it is problematic to have one group of people pay for the pensions of another group. (The Press-Register, May 3, 2007)

Americans Arrested on Bounty Hunting Charges
MEXICO - Police in Naco, Mexico, have arrested five U.S. citizens this past week. The men, Raul Arellanes Valdez, Lewis Lee Harold, Ricardo Polanco, his son Ricardo Polanco Morales, and an unidentified 13-year-old are all accused of bounty hunting, which is a criminal offense in Mexico. The charges stem from allegations that the five men detained two Mexican citizens at gunpoint and tried to get the men across the border. The men fled and the five Americans were arrested when they reentered the country to apprehend the suspects again. (The Sierra Vista Herald, May 3, 2007)

California Bail Agents Association
2007 Pre-licensing Registration June 2-3, 2007 Sacramento, CA click here for details		2007 Renewal License Education June 3, 2007 Sacramento, CA click here for details
		June 11, 2007 Los Angeles, CA click here for details
Bail Resource Center
Pre-Licensing Education
May 5-6, 2007 Costa Mesa, CA		May 19-20, 2007 Van Nuys, CA
June 2-3 , 2007 Riverside, CA		June 9-10 , 2007 Los Angeles, CA
June 23-24 , 2007 Sacramento, CA
Continuing Education
May 6, 2007 Costa Mesa, CA		May 20, 2007 Van Nuys, CA
June 3 , 2007 Riverside, CA		June 10 , 2007 Los Angeles, CA
June 24 , 2007 Sacramento, CA
click here to view all Bail Resource Center Events
Florida Surety Agents Association
FSAA Continuing Education
Chapter 903 Update May 5, 2007 Winter Park, FL		Uniform Criminal Extradition Act May 23, 2007 Tampa, FL
Chapter 903 Update May 23, 2007 Pensacola, FL		Chapter 648 Update May 29, 2007 Winter Park, FL
Surviving an Agency Audit June 3-4, 2007 Miami, FL
click here for details on FSAA Continuing Ed events
Mississippi Bail Agents Association
MBAA May Board Meeting
May 9, 2007 Byram, MS
click here for details on all MBAA Meetings
MBAA Continuing Education
May 8, 2007 Jackson, MS
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North Carolina Bail Agents Association
NCBAA Pre-Licensing Classes
May 14 & 15, 2007 Raleigh, NC		June 11 & 12 , 2007 Raleigh, NC
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NCBAA Continuing Education
May 5, 2007 Raleigh, NC
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South Carolina Bail Agents Association
SCBAA Meeting May 9, 2007 Spartanburg, SC
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Professional Bondsmen of Texas
PBT Bail Bond Courses June 22-23, 2007 Austin, TX click here for details