Thanks to the aggressive efforts of long time Indiana bail agents like Les Sebring (MCBA), the Indiana bail industry is making huge waves in the Indiana state legislature. Just recently, SB 293, a bill designed to clean up existing bail legislation around deposit bail, notices, determination of cause and failures to appear, passed through the senate floor with a 50-0 vote in favor. According to Mr. Sebring, “I am not aware of any other piece of legislation getting through the Senate or House without a single negative vote…especially not a piece of pro-bail legislation.” The next challenge will be the House, but based on some preliminary feedback, it seems like there is a good chance it will pass there as well.
To be honest, the Indiana bail industry has made a habit of doing the unthinkable. In fact, in the 1990’s the Indiana Bail Industry actually got a gubernatorial veto overturned through a motion to reconsider. The veto was for a bill that allowed for the payment of bail using credit cards. Since Indiana has strict “no credit bail” laws, the governor felt that this bill was based on the premise of credit bail. However, through the appeals process, Mr. Sebring and others were able to show differentiation between credit bail and the use of credit cards to purchase a bail bond. This type of reversal had never been accomplished before in Indiana, let alone the rest of the country…and to have it be a pro-bail piece of legislation is even sweeter.
We wish Mr. Sebring and all the Indiana bail industry the best of luck in the coming weeks on SB 293. If you would like to learn more about what is happening in Indiana or other parts of the country please email us at [email protected].