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.

Over the past week, the AboutBail.com staff were spending extra time around the water cooler, catching up on the news stories from the industry. This past week, the stories that caught our attention were:

Experts in CT Continue to Call For Wide-Spread Bail System Reforms
CONNECTICUT - In Connecticut, state prosecutors, bail industry spokesmen, and law enforcement officials urged lawmakers all agree on one thing: the bail system in the state needs to change, since competition in the industry is creating a dangerous scenario, whereby bond companies undercut legal rates. This past Monday, bail bond experts asked lawmakers to make changes to the system, saying that the usual practice requiring defendants to pay 7-10% of the amount of their bail to a bondsman has fallen by the wayside. Many companies now offer bail bonds for only 2-3% of the bail amount, leading judges to set higher bails. State Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, D-East Haven, part of the legislature's Judiciary Committee, has said reforms to the system could be approved as part of Connecticut's budget. The reform would switch regulation of the system to the Department of Public Safety and bondsmen not adhering to state requirements would face criminal penalties and up to two years in prison. (New Haven Register, May 15, 2007)

New Hampshire Finds Solution to Tough Problem
NEW HAMPSHIRE - According to the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, almost 30% of prison inmates suffer from some form of mental disability. People with mental health issues often get caught up in the legal system instead of getting the help they need. The state has formed a unique solution to this problem. Nashua District Court Judge James Leary joined forces with local attorneys and mental healthcare experts last year to start Community Connections. The group works with police officers, bail agents, judges, attorneys and other professionals in the legal system to identify and help those who have mental health issues. When a professional sees someone who they think may have been arrested due to a mental health issue, professionals are encouraged to contact Community Connections for help. (Nashua Telegraph, May 13, 2007)

Bail Bondsman Has Political Hopes Dashed and Faces Charges
TEXAS - Anthony Cooper of Mount Pleasant is a bail bondsman. Until recently, the 46 year old was running for mayor, but those plans have been put on hold indefinitely. This past week, Cooper was arrested by Titus County Sheriff's deputies and charged with 2 counts of felony forgery. The charges stem from accusations that Cooper falsified documents on a vehicle. The former mayoral candidate posted a $10,000 bond and was released from the Titus County Jail. (KLTV 7, May 11, 2007)

Tampa Police Officer Shot While Helping a Bondsman
FLORIDA - Master Patrol Officer John Armao of the Tampa Police force is in hospital after being shot and injured by a suspect. Armao was called to a home in Tampa to help a local bail bondsman arrest Kevin D. Hunter, and send him back to jail. Hunter hid in a closet and fired shots from his hiding place, hitting Armao. The bondsman was unhurt. Hunter shot and killed himself inside the home after shooting the officer. Armao is listed in fair condition. (WTSP 10, May 11, 2007)

Bounty Hunter Found Guilty in Killing
TENNESSEE - Last week, the AboutBail.com staff reported the story that Tri-Cities bounty hunter Robert Miller was on trial for raping and killing an employee, Kristal Dubuque. This week, there is some closure in the case. A Carter County jury has found the bounty hunter guilty of first degree murder and has sentenced him to life in prison for the crime. Although Miller will eventually be eligible for parole, the family of his victim has stated that they are grateful for the closure they have received from the jury's findings. (TriCities.com, May 12, 2007)

Bounty Hunters Capture Fugitive
GUAM - Bounty hunters have once again captured a dangerous felon who fled the country to escape justice. Bounty hunters tracked David Erik Olson from California to his hiding spot in Guam, allowing the U.S. Marshals Service's Warrant Task Force and the bounty hunters to make an arrest. The 41-year-old will likely be extradited to face charges. Olson is accused of jumping bail and fleeing to Puerto Rico and then Guam in a vain attempt to avoid facing charges of molesting a young California girl. (KUAM News, May 14, 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
California Bail Resource Center
Pre-Licensing Education
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 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
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
Mississippi Bail Agents Association
MBAA Summer Meeting
July 6-7, 2007 Biloxi, MS
click here for details on all MBAA Meetings
North Carolina Bail Agents Association
NCBAA Pre-Licensing Classes
June 11-12, 2007 McKimmon Center Raleigh, NC		July 9-10, 2007 McKimmon Center Raleigh, NC
click here for details on NCBAA Pre-Licensing Classes
Professional Bondsmen of Texas
PBT Bail Bond Courses June 22-23, 2007 Austin, TX click here for details on PBT Bail Bond Courses