SB 562 Ashby
I stand firmly against senate bill 562. I would argue that the bill oversimplifies a complex issue. Instead of reforming problematic practices, it attempts to eliminate cash bail entirely. The cash bail system is not perfect but it is a customer based, risk assessment business that benefits each and every county it is in. I can’t speak for every agency in California. I can only speak for the way we do things. I have been in this industry since 1994. I was an owner in Aladdin Bail Bonds and I am now an owner in All Pro Bail Bonds. I am the Executive Vice President in charge of every aspect of the underwriting, and the claims division. I came into this business as a bounty hunter, and worked my way up.
As the underwriter I do not write for how much you bring to the table. Instead I write bail based on the clients likelihood of making it to court. I assess the family that will stand by the defendant, I assess his entire support circle. I write bail on who you are, not how much money you have. Many people in this industry would disagree, and argue we should still be collecting 10%. All Pro does business different. In all the years we have been in business with All Pro, we have never foreclosed on a house, not that we did not have reason to, we just don’t do it. Families are already struggling we do not make it worse. We understand the risks, and agree to them.
We created what everyone tries to replicate with supervised bail. Our forfeiture rate is so low because we guide our clients from posting to exoneration. We have weekly contact, in some cases, ankle monitors. They check in with us weekly as well. This constant weekly contact surrounds the clients with guidance, they may never have in any other relationship. We do not take your money and forget about you.
What will move this conversation is proof. Our loss ratio is ridiculously low. I stand behind 1994 to present in doing this the right way. Ask our surety to speak to our processes. I am confident they will say our processes are proven.
Some believe the bill may lead to more individuals being released without sufficient oversight, which could potentially put communities at risk. This is a true statement. We earn our money from posting to exoneration because we provide a service till the job is done. What county agency could afford to have this type of oversight with their clients, they can’t. The overworked probation and parole is an example of lack of oversight. Our business costs the tax payers nothing. More importantly, when we can’t fulfill our end of the bargain the counties get paid. Not sometimes, but always.
I contend that the bill could undermine the financial viability of bail bond businesses by mandating refunds in cases where charges are not filed. This is an attack on one type of insurance. I have never been in a car accident and every year I pay more for it. I never get to petition for a break. My car insurance guy who I have paid premiums to every year does not know my name. He does not know my story. Yet, I offer this sentiment. Our clients on all bonds over 50k have an agent assigned to them for their entire process. We know their stories, their families, and their trauma. I would drop that amount down to 25k just to prove that our way is the correct way. When Covid happened we laid no one off. As owners we went without pay to make sure every employee was taken care of. We weathered that storm and as the clouds roll in again I would invite you to learn more about the way bail should be done. There are always bad seeds in any profession, but I will tell you there is also truth , courage, and fair play. We provide a service from day one. My employees are paid better than average wage because the fruits of their labor is proven by appearance ratios of our clients. To be asked to give back money that for All Pro, we start earning immediately is disrespectful and something in any other industry would never occur. I implore you to meet with me and let’s discuss the good of bail. The passion for an industry that when done correctly helps people to stand on their own. If you want to change this industry let’s talk about the appropriate ways to do that. Talk with someone who knows this industry in every way there is. There are people in this industry who want to immediately shut down conversations. I do not desire to fly under the radar, I welcome the dialogue without judgment. I want to be asked the questions. I know there are terrible stories but there is goodness, blood, sweat, and tears for an industry that deserves to be heard.