Concerned that rogue bail bondsmen are making a “mockery” of the bail bond system, Baltimore City?s chief prosecutor is asking the state for new laws to regulate the industry.
“The bail bond system in the state of Maryland needs major reform,” Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy wrote to former State District Chief Judge James Vaughan, who is chairman of the state?s Bail System Task Force.
Vaughan?s committee meets at 9:30 a.m. today in Annapolis.
In April, the Baltimore City Criminal Justice Coordinating Council created a subcommittee, headed by Jessamy, to analyze rogue bail bondsmen, after she raised concerns about payment plans that make a “mockery” of high bails set by judges.
In her letter, Jessamy said it?s “obvious that we may need legislative change” to truly reform the system.
In October, a Baltimore City jury acquitted three prominent bail bondsmen of corruption charges brought by Jessamy?s office.
Prosecutors accused the men of posting the same property to cover bail for several criminal defendants. Despite the acquittals, prosecutors said they would not yield in their attempt to crack down on the city?s bail bond industry.
AT A GLANCE
Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy was the head of a subcommittee that made several recommendations on how the state could regulate the bail bond industry:
» License property bondsmen statewide like corporate bondsmen
» Prohibit promissory notes on 10 percent collection requirements
» Prohibit property bondsmen from paying individuals to “post” their property
» Create a case-management system and compatible data-collection system
» Create a statewide system to handle forfeitures
» Consider adding the surrender of passports as a condition of bail
» Require individual co-signers to appear before the court
