Caregiver Suspected of Poisoning Elderly Patient Denied Bail

A caregiver of an elderly Florida lady was denied bail after allegedly stealing from then poisoning the 78-year-old woman in her care. A toxicology report showing ten times the prescribed amount of painkillers in the victim's body confirmed that she had not died of natural causes, like the caregiver claimed.

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Bail Agents Fight Back Against Pre-Trial Release

The bail-bond industry sent a glossy four-page flier to 50,000 mailboxes this month, warning Orange County taxpayers that elected officials are allowing drunken drivers, drug dealers and violent criminals out of jail by using a costly but flawed pretrial-release program.

That flier, urging residents to tell commissioners to end the "wasteful" program, lists people arrested and released for crimes ranging from drug possession and child neglect to concealing a firearm and lewd behavior. But various judicial and county officials say themaileris misleading on a number of fronts and leaves out a crucial fact: All the arrested people cited in the mailer could bail out of jail and be on the street — even if the release program was not in place.

What the mailer really shows, county officials say, is a struggling bail-bond industry that fears the spread of successful pretrial-release programs nationwide could cost them serious business.

"Our interest is public safety," said Michael Tidwell, Orange's jail chief. "The interest of the bail-bond industry is their livelihood; it's their profit margin."

The mailer prompted County Mayor Rich Crotty to hastily include a public briefing about it for commissioners on today's regular meeting agenda.

The fight centers around certain minimal-risk jail inmates who are offered a low-cost release from jail while awaiting a court hearing.


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No Bail for "Dangerous" Cigarette Dealer

A New York store owner selling untaxed cigarettes on the black market has been denied bail by Judge Denis Hurley. Hurley claims that the store owner is "dangerous," despite being acquitted of arson, murder and other charges.

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Inmate population surges as bail bond debate swirles

Changes in the amount of bail that offenders must post to get out of jail have sparked a controversy among county officials and residents.

Bibb County Sheriff Jerry Modena says the county jail is near capacity and that the county risks being placed under federal oversight and ordered to build a new jail wing if the inmate population doesn’t decrease.

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10 Great Cars for 10 Different Jobs

Job: Bounty hunter
Do you think of Labor Day more as the ceremonial end of summer or the official beginning of football season? As the start of yet another school year or just a welcome three-day weekend? Well, the U.S. Department of Labor sees it as a "yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." So, in the spirit of putting some of the labor back into Labor Day, we put together a list of 10 cars for 10 jobs.

Car: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Whether the chase takes you over rocks, across a desert or just up and down a few curbs, the all-new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor's standout suspension will help you get your man (or woman). The menacing looks won't hurt, either.

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CT Insurance Commissioner Cracks Down on Bail Bond Agents

State Insurance Commissioner Thomas Sullivan is cracking down on improper business practices by the surety bail bond industry in Connecticut, which includes agents discounting bond premiums in order to gain business.

That allows defendants to get out of jail for a reduced price.

Recent enforcement actions against surety bail bond agents have resulted in two license revocations, two license suspensions, one year-long probation, and fines totaling $7,500, the state insurance department said.

"There is no reason why this industry can't operate within the letter of the law," Sullivan said in a written statement.

Surety bail bond agents are regulated by the insurance department because they are appointed agents of an insurance company. The department licenses 516 surety bail bond agents, 136 bail bond agencies, and 19 surety companies in the state.

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