Month: March 2020

In this time of social uncertainty due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, could a drop in crime be a silver lining?

Police from around the country – from Vermont to Indiana to California – are saying that crime rates are declining. Officers in Maine, already with one of the lowest crime rates in the country, say that they’re getting called into much fewer disputes because people are spending less time together in public settings. “We are seeing fewer arguments that can lead to physical confrontations between individuals who are not seeing eye to eye,” says Lt. Tim Cotton.

Even in New York, America’s hardest hit city, crime is dropping. The New York Daily News reports that crime dropped 25% in the five boroughs during the coronavirus shutdown last week — with just one person murdered compared to eight the week before, authorities said. The crime drop was expected, police sources said, given the streets were almost empty as New York City ground to a near halt.

Here in the Atlanta area, local police departments told Reporter Newspapers that they’re receiving fewer calls for service during the coronavirus pandemic, and police incident report databases in Atlanta, Brookhaven and Dunwoody, and self-reporting Sandy Springs show lower numbers of various street crimes and arrests during the start of the pandemic over the same period in the previous year.

Police Tactics Focus Less on Low-Level Crimes

All of the departments say that they are looking at ways to enforce the law while reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19, including adopting tactics to reduce potentially contagious contact and the optional release with a citation for low-level arrestees. “Our officers have been encouraged to write citations or copies of charges on most non-violent crimes when possible – most importantly, when there is no danger to the public – so that we can work together to keep jail employees and inmates healthy,” says Carlos Campos, spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department. “We continue to enforce the law and make physical arrests when necessary.”

Could Certain Crimes Spike?

Some worry that the more people are isolated and confined, the likelier certain crimes could increase, especially when stress levels are high.

Meagan Cahill, a researcher at the RAND corporation, told The Anniston Star that, while crimes of opportunity like pickpocketing and robbery may decrease with more people staying inside their homes, crimes like domestic violence or child abuse could increase. “If people have been spending more time in the house, that could lead to more tension, which could lead to more aggression and violence,” she told the newspaper. A recent homicide in the Anniston, AL, area was the result of domestic violence that had been going on behind closed doors.

Jail or Prison is Not Where You Want to Be Right Now

It’s no secret that jail or prison isn’t an ideal place to be under any circumstances but in today’s environment, it can be deadly. People are in close, confined quarters with little access to hygienic supplies, and corrections officials lack the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from inmates. Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the coronavirus at a state prison after previously being locked up at New York City’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex, which has had a spate of coronavirus cases, according to ABC News.

These are uncertain times indeed, and A 2^nd Chance Bail Bonds wants everyone to stay safe and out of trouble. If you or a loved one find yourself behind bars, let us help you get out as quickly as possible. Our team is here 24/7 whenever you need us and can process bail bonds electronically, if needed.

As you are undoubtedly aware, crime continues despite the coronavirus. We just wanted to send a reminder that we are here for you and your clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our offices are open, and we are following public health guidelines for disinfecting and social distancing. If people don’t want to be face-to-face, we can process bail bonds electronically. This has been an excellent option for our clients in recent days and they have been very happy that we are able to process bonds without in-person contact.

We have been receiving information from various sources in different counties that MANY defendants previously held without bail are now being granted bail. Judges are emailing attorneys letting them know to file for probable cause hearings. These actions are an attempt to decrease the jail population as much as possible and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is a perfect opportunity to reach out to judges’ offices and inquire about whether your client is eligible for a bond. If they are, we’re here to assist.

Even in these uncertain times, we hold true to our motto, “Everyone Deserves A 2nd Chance.” Our commitment to excellent service doesn’t waiver. You may reach us by phone or email ([email protected]) at any time.

Cobb Office: 770-627-3235

DeKalb Office: 404-298-9722

Fulton Office: 404-224-5688

Roswell Office: 770-423-1432

We pride ourselves on helping people through challenging times, and this season of uncertainty is no different.

By some reports, youth violence in Atlanta has become an ‘epidemic’ with a county-wide rate that is nearly 15% higher than the national average. Obviously, incarceration is one way to punish offenders, but is there a better way to intervene in the lives of these youth and help them turn their lives around?In August 2019, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve funding for Project Level Up, an intervention program piloted by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office that will work to reduce arrests and violence involving juvenile offenders. Project Level Up will focus on juvenile repeat offenders who have accumulated three or more arrests and offer them an aftercare initiative, mentoring and family intervention as alternative approaches to keeping them in jail.

Even families directly affected by youth violence have embraced forgiveness over vengeance as a path forward for healing. As one example, one family who was victimized by a brutal home invasion in northwest Atlanta has come out as advocates for youth intervention over indefinite incarceration. “We were both shocked and devastated [that] at such a young age, they could have this [criminal] mentality,” said victim Michael Lash.

The problem is widespread. According to one Department of Education report, “More than 50,000 people under the age of 21 are confined in juvenile justice facilities. After being released from those facilities, more than a quarter of youth reentering the public school setting drop out of school within six months; only 15% of released ninth graders graduate from high school in four years, and almost half of those released return to confinement within three years. It’s important to address the day-to-day reality of youth transitioning from confinement and the challenges they face when returning to their schools and communities. Research has made clear that successful transition services can increase the likelihood of high school graduation and reduce recidivism for justice-involved youth.”

Fulton County Commissioners are optimistic. “Our hope is that a program like Project Level Up can help address both the crime that plagues so many of our communities and the need for viable opportunities for our young people as an alternative to the streets,” Commission Chair Robb Pitts told 11 Alive. “Our hope is that this will yield tangible results in each of these areas.”

Through Project Level Up, juvenile offenders are assigned a case worker and provided with services to help them stay away from a life of crime. If they graduate from Level Up, the charges still pending against them would be dismissed. The program incorporates extensive mentoring and is supported by the Fulton County Division of Youth and Community Services, the Public Defender’s Office, several area religious groups and organizations such as the Atlanta Police Foundation, the At-Promise Center, the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club.

Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall adds, “Project Level Up is a program that will be used to combat the juvenile crime epidemic in Fulton County. I am excited to see this program begin to help support the lives of our young people and their families.”

At A 2^nd Chance Bail Bonds, we always like to hear stories about second – or third or fourth – chances as people work hard to rebuild their lives. We’ve been there ourselves, and we’re now proud to be here for those who need a helping hand.

When a person gets arrested, it’s critical for him or her to make their court appearance. If they don’t, they will be held in contempt of court and face a bench warrant – a warrant for their arrest due to nonappearance. This second arrest may cause the court to set a higher bail amount or eliminate the possibility of bail altogether.

Often, a failure to appear in court isn’t intentional – sometimes people move or get a new phone number, and they don’t think to notify the court. Their court notices then go unheeded because they’re simply not receiving them.

Take the case of Jane Doe, one of the many clients that A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds has helped. Jane was living with a boyfriend in the Atlanta area and facing drug charges. However, the situation changed, and she fell on hard luck and found herself with nowhere to live. She was forced to move in with her parents in Florida. With so much going on, Jane didn’t think to notify the court that she had moved so of course, she didn’t receive her court notices. Thankfully, A 2nd Chance was able to intervene on her behalf and get her bench warrant recalled.

A 2nd Chance frequently goes above and beyond to help our clients get back to court and to correct the situation if they fail to appear. Whereas other bail bonds companies would automatically send a bounty hunter if a defendant doesn’t show up, we recognize that if there’s a failure to appear, it’s often because of a simple mistake, and we don’t automatically jump to putting the person back in jail. To us, it’s important to get to the root of why the failure to appear occurred. We even employ a full-time staff person to call clients, their attorneys and their cosigners to remind them of court dates.

In short, it’s okay to leave the state – life happens, and sometimes moving is necessary – but the court must be notified. The same is true for getting a new phone or any other change in contact information.

A 2nd Chance is here to help clients stay on top of court dates and not let their problems get compounded by simple errors!