We are immersed in strange days indeed with the pandemic controlling our lives.
With fear, self-isolation and businesses being closed recently there has been a drop in 911 calls and incidents of crime. Crime won’t completely go away, no matter what virus is circulating. There may be a need for a bail bond to get out of jail.
Bail can play an important role in the criminal justice process, as it serves to both limit the amount of jail space needed and ensure that people can enjoy their freedom while their court cases are ongoing. People can be released on bail at almost any stage in the criminal justice process, such as immediately after an arrest, or even after a court has issued a sentence.
The bail bondsman collects money from an incarcerated individual to ensure the defendant returns to court for the remainder of the criminal justice process without the necessity of keeping them in custody the entire time.
Charles Coleman is the owner of Jailbreak Bail Bonds located at 100 Sparta Street in McMinnville. He has been in the business 20 years and is a former bounty hunter.
“Criminals aren’t going to stop being criminals. They’ll continue doing what they do,” said Coleman. “Business has been slow due to more citations being given out in lieu of detention or they are ROR (released on one’s own recognizance) for minor or technical crimes. These folks are not a danger to society.”
Coleman said the bond business has been declining, but this is the worst he has ever seen.
“Tennessee wants to get rid of the bail bond businesses because they want people to pay the courts,” said Coleman. “With bail bond businesses, taxpayers aren’t paying a dime for this service. We provide the manpower and vehicle time to serve or find them.”
Len Murray also works at Jailbreak Bail Bonds as a local agent for Warren and Van Buren counties. He is retired from law enforcement and has worked as a bail bondsman for over 12 years.
“Business has been bad and part of it is that we are fighting tooth and nail with the competition,” said Murray. “The competition is scrambling for what little business is coming in.”
Murray said there are still arrests being made for domestic assault, DUI, public intoxication and other offenses. “Either the bond is so low or so high. We have to be particular in who we will bond and weigh the risks with the individual. We are responsible that they show up to court. If they don’t, the bond company has to find them and return them and if we don’t we lose the full amount of the bond.”
“I’ve never arrested a smart criminal,” stated Murray.
