When you think of the bail industry, you’re likely to think of bail agents and their bounty hunters, who chase down fugitives released on bail for a fee, sometimes employing questionable tactics. But the true profiteers of the United States’ distinctive cash-bail system are insurance brokers, the little-known surety companies that underwrite bail bonds and often collect much of the profits.
An ongoing legal battle in California is exposing the immense power and influence of these bail surety companies, which stand accused of conspiring to keep bail bond premiums at artificially inflated rates to boost profits. If true, this means people are being fleeced trying to get themselves or a loved one out of jail — if they’re able to afford the exorbitant prices at all.
A very interesting article. I did not know one could pay the court the full bail amount directly rather than going through a bail bondsman and end up paying an exorbitant ten per cent fee. Per usual, ALEC and private equity have their corrupt tentacles firmly embedded in the bail bonds industry.