BAIL BONDSMEN SAVE OKLAHOMA TAXPAYERS MONEY, EXPERT SAYS
Q: What does a bail bondsman do?
A:
A bail bondsman puts forth money or property as bail for the release of an accused person. A bondsman doesn’t directly release the accused from jail, but rather is paid a fee by an accused person or their family to post bail and ensure the accused appears for court. If the accused fails to appear for court, the bondsman works to locate, apprehend and return them to court. A bondsman also functions as a small-business owner, running their bail bond business within their own community and often using their own funds. All bondsmen in Oklahoma are licensed and regulated by the state Insurance Department.
Q: What is the OBA’s role in the bail bond industry? A:
The OBA acts as an educational provider for Oklahoma bondsmen. The association provides annual training and legislative updates that meet educational requirements imposed by the Oklahoma Insurance Department. All bondsmen in Oklahoma who are members of OBA adhere to the higher ethical standards put forth by the association.
Q: How are bondsmen beneficial to Oklahoma’s criminal justice system?
A:
Bondsmen ultimately save taxpayers money by removing accused persons out of custody until they’re formally convicted of a crime. However, bondsmen also act as insurance, monitoring the accused persons and ensuring they return to court. Before bailing an accused person out of jail, bondsmen also make risk assessments on the stability of the accused to ensure public safety isn’t jeopardized. This aids in decreasing the overall cost of incarceration to the state of Oklahoma.
PAULA BURKES,
BUSINESS WRITER