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.

With the passing of another spring week, the AboutBail.com staff saw more news stories about possible changes to the bail profession. In Connecticut, in particular, changes to the profession seem imminent, judging by the continued stories about the problems with the business. Stories about illegal immigrants and bail, and more stories about heroic bond professionals who put felons behind bars dominated the headlines in the past week. Our picks for the top industry stories:

Another Story Sure to Fuel the Controversy Over Bail and Illegal Immigration
COLORADO - The AboutBail.com staff have been reporting stories about the growing concern within the bail industry about illegal immigrants who commit crimes in this country. Another story this week only adds to the debate. Despite the efforts of authorities in Denver, an illegal immigrant who identified himself as Manuel Flores was able to post bond and flee the country after being accused of sexually assaulting a nine year-old girl. According to authorities, Flores was arrested February 15 and was unable to provide adequate identification. Although authorities contacted federal immigration officials, no immigration hold was placed on the man. Judge Andrew Armatas set a bond of $35,000. Flores paid the $3,500 dollars necessary to post bond, and subsequently fled to Mexico. James Ness, a local bounty hunter, uncovered Flores real name and found his location in Mexico. Although he reported his findings to authorities, there appears to be no move to bring the felon back into the country to face his charges. (Fox Colorado, May 22, 2007)

Unusual Bond for Father of Fugitive in Brownsville
TEXAS - In Brownsville, an unusual fugitive case is unfolding. Dr. Muddamalle Livingston is in jail on charges of tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension of a fugitive. His attorneys have made a deal with the judge to pay his bond in property and cash, which is unusual - most bonds must be paid in cash or with the help of a bondsman, who uses collateral. Livingston's bond is set at $150,000 and unsuccessful attempts have already been made by the man's attorney to lower the bond. Livingston is the father of wanted fugitive Amit Livingston, who has confessed to murder. Amit was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being found guilty. However, a judge granted him 60 days to get his affairs in order. During that time span, he fled and has yet to be apprehended. (News Channel 5, May 23, 2007)

More Criticism About the Bond Industry From Connecticut
CONNECTICUT - A recent story in the New Haven Register pointed out that the arrest of three bail bondsmen earlier this year for bribing a New Haven police officer has placed a spotlight on the state's bond industry. According to reports, the law that regulates the cost of setting bail is often broken, thanks to the competition among bail bondsmen. According to reports, competition is so fierce that bail bondsmen have physically fought while competing for potential clients. One of the most common tactics for bondsmen eager for new business is lowering fees. Some bondsmen allegedly charge only 2-3% of the bail set by a judge, even though state law requires fees of 10% for bail bonds up to $5,000 and fees of 7% on bonds over $5,000. Worse, although the full amount of the bond is required to be forfeited in the event that a felon does not appear in court; most bondsmen only pay half of the forfeited amount. (New Haven Register, May 23, 2007)

Greenwood Bondsman Addresses Language Barrier
SOUTH CAROLINA - Carlos Garcia, of Greenwood's Carlos Garcia Bail Bonding LLC, has found success by address a niche market. Garcia targets potential clients who do not speak English and who need additional help having documents and processes translated into Spanish. Garcia advertises in Spanish and works with the Hispanic community to help them when they face court dates. Garcia has found success because his clients require extra help and are often under-represented by other bail bondsmen, who are sometimes reluctant to work with Hispanic clients. Carlos Garcia believes that some bondsmen fear illegal immigration problems or the language barrier. (The Index Journal, May 18, 2007)

Bail Bondsman Helps Hunterdon County Authorities in Arrest
NEW JERSEY - Two individuals were apprehended on charges of child endangerment in Hunterdon County this past week. The pair was arrested at the Fountain Motel, after a check of a license plate in the hotel's parking lot revealed that the owner of the vehicle was wanted for a child endangerment charge. The other person in the hotel room, Karen Brown, was also wanted for child endangerment. A bail bondsman was able to give police a tip about Brown - a tip that may have led to the woman's arrest. Both suspects were taken to the Hunterdon County Jail. (The Express-Times, May 23, 2007)

Letter from the Executive Director at FSAA
FLORIDA SURETY AGENTS ASSOCIATION - Bail Agents have practically been eliminated from writing bonds in Federal Court following a ruling that the Bail Reform Act of 1984 was deemed to mean that a bail bond was responsible for performance under federal rules of procedure 46(e)(1) by the Vaccaro decision. To correct this wrong interpretation of the law the Bail Bond Fairness Act was originally introduced in 1997 during the 105th Congress. During this session Congressmen Robert Wexler (D - FL) and Ric Keller (R - FL) are co-sponsors of the 2007 Bail Bond Fairness Act (H.R. 2286).

We urge you to email, fax or write your congressman to voice your support of this important bill. A sample letter is attached for your use. You can locate the mailing address for your representative on the Write Your Representative Web site: http://www.house.gov/writerep/.

You will find more information about this bill on the Web site of The Professional Bail Agents of the United States: http://www.pbus.org and on News Page of the FSAA Web site (Submitted by: Charles Dorsett, Executive Director, Florida Surety Agents Association)

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
June 2-3, 2007 Riverside, CA		June 9-10, 2007 Los Angeles, CA
June 23-24, 2007 Sacramento, CA
Continuing Education
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 648 Update May 29, 2007 Winter Park, FL		Surviving an Agency Audit June 4-5, 2007 Miami, FL
Securing & Converting Collateral June 4-5, 2007 Miami, FL		Chapter 648 Update June 6, 2007 Miami, FL
Chapter 903 Update June 6, 2007 Miami, FL		Surviving an Agency Audit June 14, 2007 Winter Park, 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