San Fernando Valley Bail Agent's Association

11/06/2024

Nathan Hochman wins by a landslide…

Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, has won the race to run the largest prosecutors' office in the country.

10/08/2024

Here is a mini documentary for you to watch... by Good Kid Productions.

Support us: https://goodkidproductions.substack.com/

08/26/2024

We had a great event last Friday in support of Nathan Hochman for District Attorney of Los Angeles... Here is an article showing that Gascon is falling in the polls. Remember we still have to get out and vote!

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. (Photo: da.lacounty.gov) Gascon’s Big Behind: LA Times Poll Has Gascon Down Two-to-One The numbers have not changed terribly much in the campaign howing a steadiness in the public’s loathing of Gascon By Thomas Buckley, August 19, 2024 2:55 am...

02/23/2024

Voting is now available in Los Angeles. Don't forget to vote for District Attorney! We support Jonathan Hatami.

It’s time to restore public safety, bring transparency back to the people’s office, hold wrongdoers accountable, and make real – meaningful reforms.

01/02/2024

Here's to a happy and prosperous new year!

12/01/2023

Former Torrance bail agent sentenced for kidnapping, extorting clients - (Follow Link)

A former Torrance police officer and bail agent has been sentenced to prison for a scheme in which he apprehended clients prior to their court appearances and threatened to take them to jail unless…

11/01/2023

This just in from the California Bail Agents Association:

Dear Members, Bail Agents, Fugitive Recovery Agents, and family living in Los Angeles County,

On Wednesday, November 15th, there will be a Los Angeles County District Attorney Candidate Debate, with the current L.A. District Attorney and candidates running for the Los Angeles District Attorney Office for then 2024 Election.

This debate will help you decide who will be good choices for the primary race in March. You can listen to the debate using the Q.R. code below or attend live in Santa Monica.

We need the right person in the LA District Attorney's office. Someone who is Bail Friendly and will put Public Safety and Accountability First.

Share this with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and on your Social Media. We need to get the word out to all L.A. County residents.

Your vote matters; use it to get George Gascon OUT!

10/27/2023

At a significantly longer-than-usual Santa Monica City Council meeting, Councilmembers voted 4-3 to join a lawsuit over the County’s newly implemented Zero Bail system, with the issue apparently causing some emotional discussion during closed session. Starting October 1, every police agency in the county has to follow a new bail system that largely eliminates the need for cash bail while evaluating the severity of the crime, a suspect’s risk to the public and repeat offenses.

Councilmembers voted 4-3 to join a lawsuit over the County’s newly implemented Zero Bail system at the October 10 meeting

09/30/2023

September 30, 2023

To stop Zero Bail, a dozen Southland cities filed an 11th-hour court action Friday, Sept. 29…

Cities are Glendora, Whittier, Artesia, Covina, Downey, Lakewood, Santa Fe Springs, Palmdale, Arcadia, Industry, Vernon, La Verne

09/25/2023

Questions have come up about the ZERO Bail arrival on October 1st of this year... as you should all know by now we have been in this situation for a couple of years already.

Here is a link to the new Bail Schedule:https://lascpubstorage.blob.core.windows.net/cpw/LIBOPSCriminal-47-FelonyBailScheduleEffective10-01-2023.pdf

Zero-Dollar Bail Is Not Available for Serious or Violent Offenses Pre-Arraignment

Zero-dollar bail is not available for serious or violent crimes.

The following arrestees are ineligible for pre-arraignment release on zero-dollar bail:

Individuals arrested for capital crimes when the facts are evident or the presumption great and all offenses listed in subsections (b) and (c) of Article I, section 12 of the California Constitution are ineligible for release on their own recognizance or sufficient sureties.5

Individuals arrested for any offense listed in Penal Code section 1270.1. Individuals arrested for offenses listed in Penal Code section 1270.1 are ineligible for release on their own recognizance or release on bail in an amount that is either more or less than the amount contained in the schedule of bail for the offense until a hearing is held in open court before the magistrate or judge. For these offenses the arrestees must post financial conditions of release as required by that statute or be held until arraignment within the time outlined in Penal Code section 825, or the time by which they may have a hearing in open court as required. Existing law requires a non-zero-dollar amount of bail to be set for these offenses. Financial conditions of release for those crimes or enhancements are listed within the protocol.

Individuals arrested for any offense where there is a sentencing enhancement, as defined in subdivision (e) of Penal Code section 1269b. For offenses with these enhancements, arrestees must post financial conditions of release (non-zero-dollar amount of bail) as required by that statute and listed within the protocol.

I hope this helps.

08/29/2023

Obituary…

Anthony “Tony” (aka “Bad Tony”) Burke

A retired Senior Inspector, he passed unexpectedly August 2, 2023 in El Salvador, where he had been working as a contractor for the Department of State. Tony was quite literally one of the most popular members of IOD (Integrated Operations Division) and was never known to say a bad word about anybody. A true force of nature, his post-retirement life on the beach of Mexico tracked with his adventurous and fun-loving spirit.

He leaves behind two much-loved daughters, Jillian Burke of New Jersey and Emily Burke of New York, his parents, Kenneth and Lois Burke of Versailles, and his sister and brother-in-law, Candy and Darryl Rollins of Versailles, and many other loved ones and friends.

SI Burke of the International Investigations Branch retired on December 31, 2021, after 25 years with the USMS. He attended the University of Kentucky before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1986. He served with U.S. Marine Reconnaissance, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion “C” Company and deployed for combat and intelligence operations in various countries in Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America.
He also completed combat tours in the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

In 1996, he began his career with the USMS assigned to the C/CA in Los Angeles. He was involved in the security and coordination of numerous high-profile trials, provided personal protection to U.S. Attorneys and federal judges under threat, deployed to several natural disaster areas in support of FEMA operations, and served on other special assignments, to include Witness Security Division support and maritime seizure operations.

In 2004, he was promoted to Supervisory Inspector for the PSWRFTF in Los Angeles.

In 2007, he was temporarily promoted to CI to rebuild and manage a Violent Fugitive Task Force in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean area.

In 2015, he was selected to become the Assistant Country Attaché in Monterrey, Mexico, and began service at that post in 2016.

Throughout his career, SI Burke has received several prestigious awards, including USMS Director’s Awards for group and individual accomplishments, the Federal Bar Association Distinguished Achievement Award, the Attorney General State of California Unit Excellence Award, and the OCDETF Case of the Year Award.

Tony was truly one of a kind. Despite the “Bad Tony” persona that he loved to project, Tony was one of the most intelligent, generous, caring, and empathetic people that you could ever meet. Unless, of course, you were a violent fugitive on the run from the law, in which case he was your worst enemy.

Tony was one of the finest man hunters in the history of the Marshall Service. He was absolutely tireless in his quest to bring justice to crime victims and their families. He would work incredibly long hours, often under arduous conditions, but nothing phased him as he had served his country in both the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps before joining the United States Customs Service and then the USMS.

Tony had so many skills and great qualities, but his best quality was his robust laugh and his love of life. He will be truly missed by all that knew him.

08/29/2023

Prosecution’s indecision doesn’t justify bail forfeiture…
(Follow Link) http://www.metnews.com/articles/2023/bailforfeiture_082123.htm
The Court of Appeal for this district held Friday that a judge was obliged to extend the period for seeking exoneration of a $100,000 bail bond that had been forfeited when the defendant fled where the bonding company had located the fugitive in Mexico and temporarily detained him within the period for seeking a return of the money but the prosecution had not yet decided whether to seek extradition.

Wiley Says That If D.A.’s Office Is Uncertain Whether to Seek Extradition of Fugitive Within Period for Seeking Exoneration of Tentatively Forfeited Bond, Judge Must Order Extension of Period Until Decision Is Reached

05/18/2023

May 18, 2023

Cash bail…. Does anyone know what’s next?
https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-blocks-the-use-of-pre-arraignment-cash-bail-in-la/

Here is a direct link to the 64 page ruling: https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/urquidi-la-county-cash-bail-pi.pdf )

The bombshell ruling means that Los Angeles effectively reverts back to its Covid-era policy of

03/27/2023

Gascón’s Decision to Gut Special Victims Unit is Case Study in Incompetence...

CityWatch is published 24/7 with special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evening, with Extras as appropriate around special events such as elections or important issues. Share it with your Neighborhood Council and other activists.

03/23/2023

Bond lowered for suspect accused of paralyzing mother of 3 after body-slamming her during robbery in Southwest Houston

Bond has been lowered for a suspect accused of paralyzing a woman after body-slamming her in broad daylight at a southwest Houston shopping center, according to court documents.

03/17/2023

March 17, 2023

New Shuttle Service For LA DA George Gascón’s Office Employees Sparks Criticism In Los Angeles (Follow this Link: https://californiaglobe.com/articles/new-shuttle-service-for-la-das-office-employees-sparks-criticism-in-los-angeles/ )

“It is unprecedented in the 173-year history of the LA District Attorney’s Office that employees need to be escorted to and from their cars to protect them from random violent attacks," John McKinney, a prosecutor with the DA's office who is running to unseat Gascon in 2024

A new shuttle program for worker's in the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office unveiled this week has drawn growing criticism. The shuttle was put in

03/08/2023

How much money will George Gascón cost Los Angels County?

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here George Gascón’s Illegal Retaliation Costs Continue to Add Up $1.5 jury verdict is just the beginning of a dozen retaliation and misconduct lawsuits By Er

03/05/2023

It’s time for a new DA in Los Angeles... We stand with John McKinney for the next DA of Los Angeles County! (https://twitter.com/johnmckinney_?lang=en) (https://www.instagram.com/johnmckinney_/)
(follow the link above)