NAPSA: Be Truthful Regarding Pretrial Release Methods

The National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) has on the home page of their website a link to an article from the Orlando Sentinel dated September 22, 2009 entitled, "Orange rejects bail bondsmen's criticism of its pre-trial release program." However, NAPSA has intentionally failed to post any subsequent media news articles showing successful lobbying efforts by the private surety bail industry to curtail ineffective and dangerous pretrial release practices at the Orange County, Florida jail.

NAPSA's ruse to use only one article with a title that seems to dismiss claims by the private surety bail industry that pretrial services/release practices are less effective, is evidence that they wish to hide any victories the industry may gain in calling attention to the negatives in the pretrial services industry.

The private surety bail industry nationwide is standing firm in a unified front to show the real public safety consequences and irresponsible use of millions of tax dollars to release and supervise defendants from jail with little to no accountability. NAPSA and like organizations are facing greater scrutiny for their release practices that cater more to criminal defendants than hard working law abiding citizens.

Don't be fooled by their rhetoric! To learn the rest of the story read below:

Judge Perry Agrees to Bail Bond Industry Demands on Pre-Trial Release
posted by David Damron on November 10, 2009 - Orlando Sentinel

"After a legal and political full-court press by bail bond agents, Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry agreed to change the rules governing a pre-trial release program the industry had sought, he said Tuesday.

The judge's move could force an estimated 17 extra Orange County prisoners to spend a night in jail to see a judge the next day. Under Perry's previous order, jail officials could determine if inmates qualified for the program, and release them before a judge reviewed the case. Currently, only inmates who bond out on less-severe crimes can avoid seeing a judge before going back on the street.

The bond industry recently filed a legal challenge to Perry's order governing such programs. In September it paid for 50,000 fliers to be sent to Orange homes arguing that the program released violent criminals from jail without ever seeing a judge.

Perry disagreed, and said that the rules he set up for such programs followed state guidelines, and prisoners who bond out could continue to avoid seeing a judge in many cases. But after consulting with Orange jail officials, Perry said he was comfortable with requiring pre-trial release inmates to see a judge.

Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, the Orlando bail bond agency behind the fight, was pelased with Perry's recent rule change. A company spokeswoman said it, "prohibits jail staff from making any release decisions," and requires anyone not released on bond to have a judge look at their case."