Author: Michael Whitlock

We are excited to share that Core Specialty's acquisition of American Surety Company is complete. With the strengthened financial backing of Core Specialty and the same service and experience of American Surety Company, there has never been a better time to entrust us with your business. American Surety Company and Core Specialty are working together to ensure all agency partnerships and bondholders continue to receive industry-leading products and services, and to align the combined operations in the best interests of customers, agents, brokers, and employees. Our commitment to providing exceptional service to our valued agents and clients remains unwavering. The underwriters and support staff you have come to rely on will continue to serve you, ensuring a seamless continuation of our partnership. Your dedication and support have been instrumental in…

On the heels of New York reinstating bail requirements on a wide range of felony crimes and Florida instituting a statewide bail schedule, Georgia has passed legislation requiring secured bail on 30 new criminal charges.  The bill originated in the Senate, passed the House has been sent to the governor for signature. In addition to requiring bail on additional criminal charges, charitable bail organizations, who use donations from the public to post cash bail, will be limited to posting three cash bonds a year. Any organization wishing to post more than three bonds a year must qualify as a professional bondsman and be approved by the local sheriff to open an office. It has been reported charitable bail organizations have posted cash bail for as many as 1500 offenders in…

Michael J. Whitlock According to wisevoter.com Illinois ranks number five among all states for incidents of violent crime and ranks 19th for total crimes committed. The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the Illinois Bail Reform Act, a new law banning the use of cash to secure the appearance in court by the accused while released from jail pending trial. The new law goes into effect September 18, 2023. Illinois has not used bail bonds for decades. Prior to the new law, most defendants could deposit with the court 10% of the set bail in cash. What we refer to as the 90% discount. The new law will take the 90% discount to a 100% discount known as “zero bail”. Some would argue eliminating the requirement of bail makes the public safer.…

By Michael J. Whitlock South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed sweeping legislation (H3532) related to its pretrial release system and licensed bondsmen. While several states have been reviewing the pretrial release regulations over the past seven to ten years, South Carolina is only now working to address concerns perceived or otherwise. Here are some highlights. Full cash bonds will be required on anyone charged with a violent offense while released on bond for a prior felony offense or a felony offense involving a firearm while out on bond or pretrial release. When setting conditions for release the court must consider the nature of circumstances surrounding the offense charged, family ties, employment status, financial resources, character and mental condition, length of residency in the community, prior criminal record, prior convictions, prior failures to…

By Michael Whitlock I spent a few days at our nation’s capital this week in my capacity as a member of the American Bail Coalition Legislative Committee. The bail industry is largely regulated by the states though some bail is still written at the federal level and federal regulation can indirectly impact bail policies at the state level. We met with both congressmen and senators to discuss these important issues. The Bureau of Justice Statistics released a study in 2007, providing data gathered from the 75 largest counties in the country for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of various forms of pretrial release. The BJS study concluded secured bail be it full cash or surety were most effective. It was also a useful tool to drive home the point bail bonds play a…

By Michael J. Whitlock There is a winter storm coming down from the north that will sweep across the Midwest over the Northeast guaranteeing snow for Christmas.  Snow just adds a little something to the occasion and the season. I probably don’t embrace the season as much as I should for reasons unknown.  I do enjoy looking out my window to see the cars of my adult kids parked in the driveway.  No matter how old they get, I never stop worrying for their well-being and having them all at the house certainly adds to the holiday spirit. Given the state of our country and the increase in crime in our communities it’s always a relief to have family around.  My son and daughters know the first question I’m going…

By Michael J. Whitlock This past October, I was a guest speaker at the California Bail Agents Association annual conference in Las Vegas. My topic was the recent legislation passed in Indiana regulating charitable bail organizations. My preferred speaking style is from the heart, not power point presentations. Albert Ramirez, a veteran bail agent and attorney came up to me afterwards, gave me some positive feedback and ask where I went to college. I told him, no college for me. He said I came across as having advance educated in my presentation. That was the greatest compliment I could receive. A lack of a college degree, or any college at all, has been the driving force in my work life, if I am being honest. Everyone around me had a…