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By Michael Whitlock, Executive Vice President - Bail Division Article I, Section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution states: "That all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offenses, when the proof is evident and the presumption great." This language has been part of Tennessee law since 1870, when the state adopted its third and current constitution. It has served the people of Tennessee for more than 150 years — but that stability could end in 2026. The Tennessee Legislature has passed SJR0025, a resolution proposing to amend Article I, Section 15 to expand the categories of offenses for which bail may be denied. The amendment will be placed before voters in the November 3, 2026, general election. If approved, individuals charged with violent offenses — including second degree…

Michael J. Whitlock, Executive Vice President - Bail Division   I traveled to Florida not just for the seventy-degree weather but to attend the Florida Bail Agents Association (FBAA) Spring Meeting with American Surety Company Vice President Dan Amato. The weather was pleasant, but even more rewarding was seeing all the hardworking members of the association dedicated to improving their profession. What impresses me most about this organization is its persistence and commitment to the task at hand. Under the leadership of President Carey Carlisle, the FBAA Board volunteers their time and resources to ensure their efforts pay off for its membership. We are in the midst of another legislative session, and capitalizing on the relationships developed with state legislators is crucial. It’s essential that representatives in Tallahassee understand the…

By Michael J. Whitlock, Executive Vice President The recent reform package passed last year in South Carolina mandates that bail agents obtain a property and casualty license by July 1 to continue their practice. This has introduced several challenges and concerns among veteran bail agents, who attended a continuing education class organized by the South Carolina Bail Agents Association in Columbia on June 15. Key Points from the Meeting: 1. New Licensing Requirement: - Bail agents now need a property and casualty license to write bail. - This change is part of a broader reform package aimed at regulating the industry more strictly. 2. Difficulty of the Exam: - Many veteran agents, some of whom have not taken an exam in over 40 years, found the test challenging. - The…

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.…