You may have some questions about criminal records and if so this article is for you.

What is a criminal record?

A criminal record is a file that contains any misdoings that a person has committed. These misdoings can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. Criminal records can be from juvenile record to an adult record. Every broken law is recorded so that the state and national authorities are aware of what the past is of the criminal. You can basically look at it as a detailed recording of your life where the law is concerned. It is not something to be taken lightly or ignored in some cases.

Who is in charge of a criminal record?

There are several agencies that are responsible for maintaining different types of records here in the United States. The Department of Justice has a database just for criminal records. The NCIC is the National Crime Information Center. It is a repository for all federal records and works in conjunction with state and local officials to update the information.

Many state and local authorities will have a database of their own that they use. These records may be individually kept in local country offices in a database or may be contributed to a statewide database. That way the information on local criminal activity is kept at a finger’s touch.

Can a job discriminate due to me having a criminal record?

Most job applications have an area where you are to check whether or not you have a felony conviction. Many jobs are now requiring you to mention if you have a misdemeanor as well. Jobs are not supposed to discriminate based on any information but there will be some jobs that you may not be able to obtain with a criminal record. If you have a DUI on your record, you may not be able to obtain a job in the transportation industry. If you are a known bank robber you can probably count out a bank job.

If I have a criminal record, can I still own a firearm?

That question depends largely on the type of criminal record you possess, what you were convicted for and where you live. In Washington State you cannot own a firearm or be in possession of a firearm if you are a convicted felon. Most parole regulations state that a person on parole cannot be in possession of a firearm. To do so would be an automatic violation of parole and you could be sent back to prison. You have to check the laws of your state when you go to fill out the application for a firearm. It is far better to be told "No" then to take the chance and possess a firearm without a license.

By Legal Editor

Share This

Additionally, if you are going to be bringing a lawsuit against someone, then you can check to see if the individual or company has any other lawsuits against them by searching through county court records. Depending on your court jurisdiction, you may actually be able to peruse the court files yourself to find the information you want. If this is not the policy in your jurisdiction, then you may be able to gain some information from talking to the court clerk. You should understand that the information you request may not be available to you right away. Some public records laws allow for a delay in the release of information and sometimes documents involving court cases may actually be in use by a judge. If this is the case, then you may still be able to gain some information by speaking to the clerk.

You can also find out information about a person’s criminal record by searching county court records. Searching court records can give you information about both Federal and Civil judgments against individuals, as well as any evictions and tax liens that have been filed against them. If you are looking to hire an individual or perhaps even rent a home to them, completing a court records search can be very helpful. This information can give you some idea of their reliability and honesty. This is especially important if you are looking to hire the individual for a position that requires the handling of money or will put them in a position where they will be overseeing personal client records.

If you are looking through county court records for criminal information on an individual, then not all documents may be accessible to you. While most of these documents are public records, there may be instances where the information is made unavailable. Records such as death certificates, marriage licenses and deed and will book information, however, are more readily accessible. If you are planning to search court records for this type of information, to perhaps to trace your family tree, then you may be able to find an endless amount of data. Try starting with the closest relative that you have no information about and go from there. You might be amazed at the information that you will find by doing a court records search.

By Legal Editor

Share This

But there are reasons why a bail agency may not be able to bail a person out of jail. If the person has a long criminal history, has jumped a bail bond in the past, has committed a heinous crime or is a flight risk, then a person may be denied bail by the judge or magistrate. If bail is denied, then the court has to prove why there is a risk. In most cases, the bail will be allowed but the amount of the bond will be incredibly high, likely with the fee for bonding being out of the reach for the individual.

When dealing with California bail bonds, there are three agencies that are responsible for the codes and statutes that govern bail bond companies. These three governing bodies are the United States Constitution, the California Penal code system and the California State Insurance Department. The company, or agency, must make sure that they fall within the requirements of these rules and regulations if they want to work.

There are also classes and ongoing education that each bail bondsman and bail bond company must meet in order to maintain their license and practice in the state of California. There is a test that covers 12 hours of classroom education and is administered by the Commissioner. After licensing, the bail bond agent must keep his or her license valid, through continuing education of at least six hours annually. The licensing fee for the individual is $118.00 each year.

You will find that California bail laws are very similar to the laws that govern other states. These laws are meant to protect the client and provide the court system with guarantees as to the ethics and choices that bond agents have when it comes to dealing with the law. It makes them accountable for their clients and their own actions. If you are interested in a career as a bail bondsman, then you need to contact a local agency for more bail information and details on how you get into this career field.

How to Start a Bail Bond Business and Become a Bail Bondsman This book provides a step-by-step introduction into the Bail Bond Business, discussing the history of bail, licensing, setting up your business, promotion, advertising, valuing and selling your business, etc. In addition, the book is filled with internet links and email addresses of companies and people who can help you to start your business. The book is 152 pages long, with 122 pages of text PLUS model forms and appendices.

By Legal Editor

Share This

The origins of the bailbond date back hundreds of years but the first professional, or modern bail agency, was established by Tom and Peter P. McDonough in 1898. There are plenty of reasons why someone would prefer to avoid sitting in jail for days, weeks, or months at a time, while waiting for a judge or magistrate’s ruling. Just think about the lost work revenue as the number one personal reason!

The need for bail bond agents came about as a direct need by the court system. Keeping prisoners was expensive and dangerous. Most jails had hazardous health conditions, were already understaffed, easily escapable and were a burden on an already overtaxed system that did not have the money to house every single person arrested.

Before there were county bail bonds, family members were responsible for posting bail. The first bail bond agent was likely a friend or relative who put up money or property to get you out of jail. Authorities believed that a person was far less likely to skip out on court if they had a physical and emotional connection to the person who put up the bond. If the person jumped bail, meaning they did not show up for court, then the person would lose their property and/or money. If the person showed up to court, then the money and property would be returned.

A bailbond does not prove innocence or guilt. It is simply a way for the person to gain freedom from jail until the court date. There should always be a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. That is one of the inalienable rights given to each person in this country. However, there are some individuals who cannot receive a bond due to the nature of the crime or if the judge deems them to be a flight risk.

By Legal Editor

Share This

So you may be curious how bail bondsmen make their money. Well, they do not get paid hourly because there is no guarantee that bonds will come in hourly for the company. A bail agency usually pays a percentage to the bail bondsman on the amount of bonds he or she writes. This percentage comes from the fee the bail agency charges the defendant when they post the bond.

As for the long hours, well there is no guarantee when a defendant will call, so a bail bondsman must be ready to leave his or her house at any hour of the day. There are some days that are typically busy for bail bond agents. These days are usually on the weekends and on holidays. Many of these bonds will be low bonds that come about from drinking and driving busts. It may not mean much money to the bond agent but it does build up a clientele. This is very important, so pay attention. The more people you help out, the better advertising via word of mouth occurs. This is the biggest tool in the bail bond agent’s arsenal.

If you bail out an individual from jail, there is no guarantee that you will have a client that makes his or her way to court. Many people, especially those that know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they will go to prison may try to run. This means that either you have to find the person or hire a bail enforcement agent, otherwise known as a bounty hunter, to track them down.

No one is disputing the fact that bail bondsmen have tough jobs, with days that are often long and hard. When first getting into the business it can seem like it is too big of a risk. People like having set work hours and not having to get up at all hours of the night. But once you are in the game for awhile, you will get used to the hours and the more bonds you write will lead to better word of mouth advertising, which translates into more money for your wallet.

How to Start a Bail Bond Business and Become a Bail Bondsman This book provides a step-by-step introduction into the Bail Bond Business, discussing the history of bail, licensing, setting up your business, promotion, advertising, valuing and selling your business, etc. In addition, the book is filled with internet links and email addresses of companies and people who can help you to start your business. The book is 152 pages long, with 122 pages of text PLUS model forms and appendices.

By Legal Editor

Share This

Let us say, hypothetically of course, that you or a family member has been arrested and a judge has set a $20,000 bond that must be paid before release from jail can occur. Whoa, that is a lot of money and very few people can afford to put that much up in cash to get a loved one out of jail. That is where the bail agency steps in and helps you out.

They come up with the money or guarantee to get the person out of jail. This is not a free, "get out of jail" card. Usually the fee is ten percent and it is non-refundable. Had you coughed up the full 20 grand, it would have been returned to you after the defendant showed up in court but as mentioned earlier, few people can come up with that kind of cash at a moments notice. The bail agency can be your friend or your worst enemy should the friend or family skip out on the bond.

Bail Bonds com is not a bail bond agency. They provide you with bail information for your area. There are links on the webpage to the right that can let you be an affiliate member or give you the latest bond skippers who have cash rewards on their heads. You should be aware that they are not a referral service and nothing they offer is guaranteed. The best part of the website is the glossary of terms that can help you understand the legal system.

Affiliates to Bail Bonds com are the ones that make money. The more websites it can hit, the more money from listing fees it receives. Bond agents from smaller towns may not be available so you have to be aware of this depending on where you live. The website does provide listings of criminal attorneys but once again it depends on the area where you live if any are close to you. Just remember that they are not a referral service and are not responsible for helping you out of a predicament.

How to Start a Bail Bond Business and Become a Bail Bondsman This book provides a step-by-step introduction into the Bail Bond Business, discussing the history of bail, licensing, setting up your business, promotion, advertising, valuing and selling your business, etc. In addition, the book is filled with internet links and email addresses of companies and people who can help you to start your business. The book is 152 pages long, with 122 pages of text PLUS model forms and appendices.

By Legal Editor

Share This

Bail bond agents work on a pretty simple premise. A bail bond is a guarantee that you will show up to court. It works like this: the person is arrested, the judge decides what the bail will be and bail bond agents then pay a percentage to the court to allow the defendant to leave. The bail agency is guaranteeing that the person will show up to court. If that does not happen, then trouble starts because they want to get their money back. If the defendant does not show up for the court appearance, then the money placed for bail is forfeited.

Bail bonds are not always used. There are times when the judge will release a defendant on his own recognizance. That means he will trust the person to show up to court and not flee before the court date. The worse the crime, the less likely the judge will be to do this type of bail bond. He or she does not want the person to flee if the defendant thinks that he or she will be found guilty.

Bail bond agents act as a surety. They are a third person that agrees to be responsible. The usual arrangement is that the bail agency puts up a certain amount of money towards the total bond. This is usually ten percent. Unlike posting a cash bond yourself, you will not get this ten percent back because it is the fee that the agency charges for getting you out of jail and putting up the guarantee that you will show for the trail or sentencing. If you put up a cash bond, then you will get the money back once you show up at court, minus the fees of course.

Bail bonds work for you. It means that you do not have to sit in a jail cell. You simply pay the fee asked for by the bail bond agent and you are free to go until the court date. You can go to work and be with your family. It is a freedom most of us take for granted until we no longer have it, but with a bail bond you have that freedom once again. Life is meant to be lived freely but sometimes things happen to take it away.

By Legal Editor

Share This

Some things just go together. Like peas and carrots. Wills and probate go together like peas and carrots. At least that is what Forrest Gump would say if he were talking about the probate system and having a will. Neither is truly bad and they work in tandem. Where there is one, there will be the other. At least that is the way it should always be but sometimes life does not turn out that way. Probate sometimes gets a bad name.

Probate is the process of an executor of an estate dividing up a deceased person’s property according to his or her will. That is the simple fact and truth about probate. The probate system takes a beating when attorneys have to become involved because there is a dispute over the will, the will has mysteriously disappeared or no will was ever made. In an effort to save time, let’s narrow it down to covering the last two issues because no article on the planet can give solid advice on a dispute between family members engaged in a bitter battle over material possessions. A bit of advice: know your rights, get the facts and get all your ducks in a row.

Many wills have mysteriously come up missing. Was it an accident? Was it a mysterious fire? Who knows? If your loved one’s will has come up missing and they did not have another copy, then you may be out of luck, unless of course is just as mysteriously reappears. In the case of there being no will, the issue has to be decided in the probate court. Wills and probate are important. You can save your children and loved ones from problems by ensuring that you have a will on file and in a safe location. You will also want to discuss your last wishes with your family just in case. Sure death may seem like it is forever away but it can be closer than you think. Ducking your head in the sand will not help.

By Legal Editor

Share This

The process of using a bail agency happens once you have been arrested. A judge then posts your bond and you call a bail agent to come bail you out of jail. The agency will charge a ten percent fee, usually, and you are free to go until your court date. Most of the time the agent will request that you check in on a regular basis so he or she knows how you are doing and where you are at all times.

Bail Bond agents are usually trained on the job though there are classes a person can take to become an agent. These classes are usually held locally and focus on the local laws, as well as the proper paperwork procedure for each bond written. Further classes can teach the bail bond agent to also be a bail enforcement agent, also known as a bounty hunter, in case the defendant skips out on the bond.

Skipping out on a bond is when the defendant does not show up to his or her court appearance. The bond is then forfeited until the time that the bounty hunter or bail bondsman can track down the individual and deliver them to the jail. This is obviously the riskier side of the job but there are other things to consider as well, such as hours that vary. Many agents are awakened in the middle of the night and must not be far from their phone. This can make life a bit difficult when trying to plan around work hours.

There is something to keep in mind when wondering about the pay of a bail agent. It is important to keep in mind that there are no guarantees of making money in this line of work. There are many factors such as population, reputation and advertising that play huge factors in how much business you will receive. Stan Wilson of Bail Bonds Now says, "One month it may be great money and the next there may be only a few bonds written."

How to Start a Bail Bond Business and Become a Bail Bondsman This book provides a step-by-step introduction into the Bail Bond Business, discussing the history of bail, licensing, setting up your business, promotion, advertising, valuing and selling your business, etc. In addition, the book is filled with internet links and email addresses of companies and people who can help you to start your business. The book is 152 pages long, with 122 pages of text PLUS model forms and appendices.

By Legal Editor

Share This

In thinking about the aspects of the homosexual marriage debate, it is important to realize the arenas in which these debates are taking place. It is first important to remember where marriage has come from, in order to understand how some religious groups feel that they have the right to lay claim to the concept of marriage.

Marriage exists in today’s modern society in one form or another. Married people may form a household, a family, or become part of an existing family. Most non-Western societies tend to have a larger definition of family that included other extended family members. When a person marries in such a society, they marry the entire family and not just the bride or groom.

Marriage is essentially seen as a bond that legally sanctions and approves a sexual relationship, making it acceptable in terms of societal standards to engage in sexual activity and procreate. Children born out of wedlock in conservative families are often seen as being less than moral results of a less than moral relationship. In the bonds of marriage, those same children become morally acceptable and have the ability to become blessed.

Germanic cultural traditions, Christianity and Roman law have influenced the Western culture’s notions of marriage. In effect, the Western culture is viewed as being monogamous, involving marriage between a man and a woman. Christians view the debate on homosexual marriage as a detriment to the traditional definition of marriage in accordance to Christian beliefs. The Christian tradition in terms of its influence on our culture is something that cannot be denied, however those definitions of marriage are being pushed into polarizing grounds.

The debate in terms of gay marriage is that it fundamentally challenges the definitions of marriage as broadly accepted since the time of Augustine. Marriage was, however, a civil institution in most nations until around the fifth century. At that time, Augustine became interested in the aspects of marriage. The Catholic Church essentially took a stab at it, co-opting the marital concept. Christians began having their marriage ceremonies conducted in a Church with a religious ceremony and religious implications. The implications evolved as North America was eventually settled by European settlers.

Concepts of gay marriage become about preservation of the history and the traditions of the world for some, and a denial of “basic human rights” for others. Is marriage a basic human right or a concept reserved for those more in tune with the religious traditions of North America? The debate on marriage definitions will likely continue for many more years to come.

By Relationships Editor

Share This