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     As I spoke about in my earlier blog, I’m not an art student nor will I be entering into the business. I have to say that since I’ve been attending class, I have found a new appreciation and respect for it.  

     I tried to find someone to interview for the career I’m going into. Because of its legality and gray interpretation, I wasn’t able to find someone to talk to me about it. So that leaves me with door number 2. Behind this door lies a job so special and heroic A&E made a show about it. It’s called “Dog the Bounty Hunter”. Yup I’d like to be a Bondsman. By the way I was just joking about “Dog”, the guy is giving the industry a bad name. He’s like professional wrestling, a big dummy in funny costume.

     Anyways, a bondsman writes bail for someone who has been arrested and is trying to “bail” out of jail. Bail is a monetary guarantee that you will return to court and fill your legal obligations to the case in which you were arrested for. Since most bails are in the thousands and most people don’t have that kind of money to pay, bail companies will step in and guarantee the bond. This is usually at a cost of about 10% of the total bail amount plus some processing fees.

     I spoke with a good friend of mine who is considered to be one of the best in the business, Brandon Drake. Brandon has recently taken the big plunge and decided to open his own company “Brandon’s Bail Bond’s” in the lovely city of Everett. I made a cold call to him to ask him some questions about his feeling towards the business. After a few pleasantries the conversation went similar to this.

Val: So how do you like your job?

Brandon: I love it. (Not sure that was totally truthful because I’ve been there many days and seen him pulling out his hair.)

Val: What were your qualifications towards getting the job?

Brandon: You need to obtain a license thru the state which involves testing and background checks. You are not allowed to have any felonies.

Val: What training do you need to maintain your job?

Brandon: Every year you need to do 16 hours of continuing education.

Val: Is there job growth?

Brandon: Yes, There will always be a need for bondsman even in tough economies.

Val: What are the pros and cons? 

Brandon: The pro’s are that you can come and go when you want and that you’re pretty much in charge of your own schedule. The con’s are that you have a phone stuck to your ear all day and you have to deal with whiny people

Val: What some industry changes you are seeing?

Brandon: The high bails are going away because of what happen with Maurice Clemmons. The judges are reluctant to set any bail for violent felonies.

     That pretty much concluded our interview. I’ve know Brandon for a few years and seen what he goes thru. At first impressions he looks a bit scary but all in all he’s the type of guy that will give you the shirt off his back. You can visit his Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/BrandonsBailBonds if you have any other questions or if you’re in the unfortunate position to need his services.

VWT