subject: The Illegal And Legal Relationship Between Lawyers And Bail Bonds [print this page] As a southern California bail bonds agent I have the privilege to work in one of the busiest locations in the nation for the bail bonds industry. That is because the Los Angeles County Jail is if not the most, one of the busiest jail in the country. Southern California also has other busy locations like the Ventura County Jail, Van Nuys Jail, Century Detention Center, Orange County Jail, San Bernardino County Jail, and Riverside County Jail. So it's no surprise that California also has some of the highest number of attorney's per capita in the nation. That being said, it is not uncommon for Criminal Lawyers and Bail Bond companies to have a working relationship. The big question is if the relationships between a lawyer and a bondsman legal? The answer is, it depends.
Bail Bond Agents Referring Criminal Attorneys to their Bail Bonds Clientele is Illegal
The California Department of Insurance Code prohibits bail bond agents from referring bail clients to criminal attorneys. As bail bond agents, we are not allowed to influence our bail clients choice of counsel. There have been cases where bondsmen were referring criminal lawyers for a referral fee and not for the quality of their work. Even if there is no "referral fee" involved, California Bail Bonds agents are not allowed to suggest which lawyer is "GOOD". As a bail bond agent myself, I often get asked for recommendations by people who I have posted bail bonds for.
My answer is always the same, "Sorry, but I am not allowed to recommend an attorney". Some bail clients, especially those who have never been arrested, tend to get frustrated and unsuccessfully continue to insist. Bottom line, bail bondsmen are not allowed to recommend or suggest an attorney for any reason. Bail bond agents who violate this code can face severe penalties and can have their bail agent license revoked by the DOI (California Department of Insurance).
Lawyers referring Bail Bonds is Legal
It is legal for Attorneys to refer clients to bail bond companies. As long as no "kickbacks" or "referral fee" is given the by the bail bonds agency, it is legal for inmates to use the services of the bail bond companies that are recommended by their attorney. Inmates who are represented by private counsel can receive a 20% discount off their bail bond premium. Click here for more ways to obtain a LEGAL bail bond discount.
If your attorney refers a bail bonds company that you do not feel comfortable with, feel free to look elsewhere. An important thing to note is that the 20% discount for having private counsel can be given any bail bonds company in California, and does not only apply to the company referred by the lawyer. This why bail bond companies like Bail Unit Bail Bonds focus on providing the highest level of customer service. All Bail Bond Companies must charge the same by law, but not all Bail Bondsmen follow the same professional and ethical standards. Attorneys also have to be careful on which company they recommend. Just last week the owners of a Modesto bail bond company were accused of kidnapping their clients with the purpose of extorting money, amongst other charges. For more information on how bail bonds work and legal bail bond discounts, fell free to visit our website: http://bailunitbailbonds.com/
