One of our active volunteers in our Capital City has been concerned about many injustices in our justice system. For example: When an accused comes to court for the first time, he is often given the option to post bail and return to his home. Bail means putting up some amount of money that is returned only if he shows up at court for his next appearance.
Commonly, most people don’t have the ready cash to post bail. In this instance, they can work with a bail-bondsman. By paying the bail-bondsman 10% of the total bail required, the bondsman assume the responsibility that the accused is in court for his next appearance.
Recently, our LP activist learned from a very reliable source that strange things happened in the capital city if an accused who was released on the guarantee of a bail-bondsman did not show up for his next court appearance. The judge would order his bail be forfeited. However, since he did not actually post bail; rather it was guaranteed by the bondsman, no one went after the bail-bondsman to collect the forfeited bail.
What a deal. The bail-bondsman gets 10%; signs the accused out; then has no responsibility or expense if he fails to show up in court. Its free money. We suspect this is the story in many Kansas counties.
In our most recent election cycle, our intrepid volunteer asked the candidate for his county commission seat about this arrangement. The candidate was surprised and basically said, “No way!” but promised to look into the matter if elected. He was. And, he did.
Following up, our dogged volunteer recently emailed his county commissioner about the situation. The commissioner returned an email he had received from the county attorney:
“. . . my office has now started prosecuting bond forfeitures. We are just starting the process and learning how to do it ourselves. The DA refuses to do it because he does not get a cut of the money. The money is split 60% to the state and 40% to the county general fund. We filed on three bonds recently and are preparing to file on more.”
Score one small success for the Libertarian Party.
Now it is time to welcome Anthony who is working hard to start a Libertarian Group in Graham and Rooks Counties. Thanks for your hard work, Anthony. We’re seeing amazing results from all our county volunteers. This is a lot of work for one person. Don’t be shy about offering to help.
Two weeks ago Douglas county Libertarians had their first meeting. This last weekend, the new Libertarian group in Wichita did the same. Libertarians in Gray and Osage Counties are being contacted by volunteers in preparation to starting those county groups. We are working toward having a minimum of 105 Libertarian groups in Kansas. We want to alter the political debate in our state.
If we don’t have your correct county (see below), be sure to get back with us. You will probably want to keep up on events near your home.
Sharon, our volunteer editor of Free Kansan plans to have the next issue ready for distribution soon. If you have an event to publicize, be sure to get back with her: FreeKansan@cox.net
Finally, a reminder about our upcoming State Convention scheduled for the weekend of April 20 in Emporia. Put it on your calendar. Learn about all that is going on and our plans for the future.
Commonly, most people don’t have the ready cash to post bail. In this instance, they can work with a bail-bondsman. By paying the bail-bondsman 10% of the total bail required, the bondsman assume the responsibility that the accused is in court for his next appearance.
Recently, our LP activist learned from a very reliable source that strange things happened in the capital city if an accused who was released on the guarantee of a bail-bondsman did not show up for his next court appearance. The judge would order his bail be forfeited. However, since he did not actually post bail; rather it was guaranteed by the bondsman, no one went after the bail-bondsman to collect the forfeited bail.
What a deal. The bail-bondsman gets 10%; signs the accused out; then has no responsibility or expense if he fails to show up in court. Its free money. We suspect this is the story in many Kansas counties.
In our most recent election cycle, our intrepid volunteer asked the candidate for his county commission seat about this arrangement. The candidate was surprised and basically said, “No way!” but promised to look into the matter if elected. He was. And, he did.
Following up, our dogged volunteer recently emailed his county commissioner about the situation. The commissioner returned an email he had received from the county attorney:
“. . . my office has now started prosecuting bond forfeitures. We are just starting the process and learning how to do it ourselves. The DA refuses to do it because he does not get a cut of the money. The money is split 60% to the state and 40% to the county general fund. We filed on three bonds recently and are preparing to file on more.”
Score one small success for the Libertarian Party.
Now it is time to welcome Anthony who is working hard to start a Libertarian Group in Graham and Rooks Counties. Thanks for your hard work, Anthony. We’re seeing amazing results from all our county volunteers. This is a lot of work for one person. Don’t be shy about offering to help.
Two weeks ago Douglas county Libertarians had their first meeting. This last weekend, the new Libertarian group in Wichita did the same. Libertarians in Gray and Osage Counties are being contacted by volunteers in preparation to starting those county groups. We are working toward having a minimum of 105 Libertarian groups in Kansas. We want to alter the political debate in our state.
If we don’t have your correct county (see below), be sure to get back with us. You will probably want to keep up on events near your home.
Sharon, our volunteer editor of Free Kansan plans to have the next issue ready for distribution soon. If you have an event to publicize, be sure to get back with her: FreeKansan@cox.net
Finally, a reminder about our upcoming State Convention scheduled for the weekend of April 20 in Emporia. Put it on your calendar. Learn about all that is going on and our plans for the future.
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