| The bonding company has to guarantee the | | | | by Sean Cook, a bail agent who has been in the |
| appearance of the defendant in court at a given | | | | bail bonds business for more than 12 years. The |
| time and place, when a bond is issued. These bail | | | | author owned and operated a company for 10 |
| bonds are issued only by licensed "bail agents" | | | | years and is well versed in purchasing and selling |
| who specialize in their underwriting and issuance. | | | | bail bond companies. This book provides guidance |
| These agents act as the appointed | | | | to starting a bail bonds business as well as |
| representatives of licensed surety insurance | | | | operating it successfully. |
| companies. | | | | However, it is suggested that anyone interested |
| Having a bail bond business entitles undertaking | | | | in this field consult with a Certified Public |
| intensive research on marketing techniques, and | | | | Accountant (CPA) or accountant and his or her |
| software, as well as detailed knowledge of | | | | attorneys, along with reading this book before |
| handling forfeitures, skip tracing, hiring bail | | | | starting the business. It is advisable to hire a good |
| enforcement agents and much more. Someone | | | | attorney a CPA. Since bail bonds rules and |
| who wishes to become a bail agent should have a | | | | regulations vary from state to state, it is |
| vast store of knowledge on owning and operating | | | | important to understand all these rules and |
| a successful bail bond business. They need to | | | | regulations before opening the business. |
| study and know about surety companies, BUF | | | | The bail bond agencies must renew their licenses |
| accounts, general agents, jail and court systems, | | | | every year, as the Department of Licensing does |
| and must have an in-depth knowledge of how to | | | | not prorate agency fees. Also, the agency is |
| maintain an office. | | | | responsible for all the bail bond agents working |
| "Bail Bonds 101" is a comprehensive book written | | | | with them. |