A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds
Defense Attorney Ashleigh Merchant shares details from recent cases that have captured public attention and, in some cases, alarmed the public unnecessarily. Ashleigh subscribes to the philosophy that the more the public sees the sausage being made, the better it is for criminal justice.
Streamline the process of securing reliable electronic monitoring with A 2nd Chance Monitoring. As a part of the A 2nd Chance brand, we extend the same exceptional service you’ve come to expect from A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds.
We understand the need for efficiency, which is why we offer timely and professional service, often with same-day installation. Our goal is to make the entire process as straightforward as possible. Our tailored solutions are designed to meet the individual needs of each client and provide seamless installation to ensure compliance without unnecessary delays. Once installed, you can count on continuous, reliable monitoring with our 24/7 oversight and custom reports to track compliance status.
The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, part of The Bill of Rights, is one of the most important for anyone who is facing criminal charges. If you or a loved one has been arrested, the 8th Amendment protects you from excessive bail. It could be said that bail bond companies are a direct response to this amendment. Let’s break down what it covers and why it matters when bonding out of jail.
The 8th Amendment explicitly states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
In plain terms, it ensures that a person’s bail isn’t unfairly high and that any fines levied against them are reasonable. At its core, the 8th amendment is all about promoting fairness and ensuring that people have an opportunity to post bail (or obtain bail bonds) when arrested for criminal offenses.
Bail is what lets you get out of jail while awaiting trial, and it provides a financial incentive to show up for court. As the 8th Amendment protects you from “excessive” bail, the amount should match the crime. For example, a minor offense shouldn’t carry a million-dollar bail. Courts must consider factors like the severity of the crime and whether someone is a flight risk in order to set a fair amount.
Many states use a scoring system when setting bail. Misdemeanor offenses have an average bail amount of a few hundred dollars, although some crimes may include a higher bail amount.
The 8th Amendment and your bail amount also influence the cost of obtaining bail bonds. Even when fees are reasonable, many defendants (or the required co-signer) can’t afford the full bail. This is where bail bond companies come in. When working with a bondsman, you’ll have to provide a percentage of the bail amount, but the bond company will cover the rest. Once you or your loved one attends the court dates, the bond company gets the bail amount back and keeps your percentage as its fee.
The 8th Amendment also includes a clause that prohibits cruel and unusual punishments, such as torture and overly severe penalties, effectively ensuring that the criminal justice system respects your dignity during the entire legal process.
A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds offers timely and responsive bonding services throughout Georgia and Alabama. Our team is here to help in your time of need, and we’ll guide you through the means of exercising your 8th Amendment rights by making bonds more accessible. Additionally, we are committed to educating clients about the bail process so they can avoid the risk of violating pretrial release conditions. Our goal is to get you or your loved one home fast, and to keep you there, so you can move on from your legal troubles.
Mike Lutzenkirchen, Lutzie 43 Foundation, discusses summer driving safety during a time that has been deemed the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer – the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day when teen crash fatalities spike. He also discusses Georgia’s Motor Carrier Compliance division of the Georgia State Patrol, a partner with Lutzie 43 working to create better behaviors behind the wheel.
Major Steve Gaynor and Investigator Pedros Munoz of the Cobb Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division detail the ongoing work of their Fraud Division as fraud cases continue to rise. They highlight how criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leading to an escalation in the financial impact of these crimes.
The Jess Rousey Honoring Heroes Foundation and its founder, Samantha Rousey Glass, are dedicated to ensuring that first responders are equipped, supported and empowered to serve their communities. Lt. Justin Bullis with the Cobb County Police and retired Major Barry Little join Samantha to discuss the important work performed by the all-volunteer staff and board of the foundation for first responders in Paulding and Cobb counties.
Tyrone Spears, Founder of the Jardine Spears Autism Foundation, discusses the special circumstances first responders face when interacting with autistic individuals, but the mood lightens while discussing bowling, classical music, horseback riding, golf cart driving and other activities the foundation makes possible.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, meaningful career that makes a real difference in people’s lives, becoming a bondsman might be your next move. At A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, we’re committed to hiring, and supporting, individuals who want to serve their community.
As a member of a bail bonds team, you can help people navigate one of the most difficult challenges they will ever face. Here’s what you need to know.
When someone is arrested, the judge often sets bail at an amount that is much more than they or their family can afford. A bondsman provides a financial guarantee to the court on behalf of the defendant, securing a person’s release while ensuring they return for their scheduled court appearances.
But the job is much more than providing financial assistance. And it certainly isn’t what it might appear to be in the movies! Contrary to popular belief, the day-to-day life of a bondsman rarely involves dramatic pursuits of fugitives. While apprehending those who have skipped bail is a component of the industry, it represents a small fraction of the work and is typically handled by specialized recovery agents.
In reality, a bondsman is a relationship builder. Bondsmen work with families, attorneys and court officials to coordinate an arrested person’s release, explain the legal process and help clients comply with court conditions A bondsman needs to truly enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and be able to navigate sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
To thrive in the bail bonds industry, certain personal attributes are crucial:
You need to do the following to obtain your bail bondsman license:
This line of work offers more than just a steady paycheck. By becoming a bondsman, you can:
We’re more than a bail bond company; we’re a second chance for people when they need it most. If you’re driven to serve your community, support the principles of justice, and seek a career with unique rewards and daily variety, exploring the path to becoming a bail bondsman could be an excellent next step.
Daniel and Rae Matalon Receive Champion of Autism Award for Ongoing Support of the Foundation at Inaugural Gala
ATLANTA – May 2, 2025 – A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds announced that Founder and CEO Daniel Matalon and his wife Rae received the Champion of Autism Award presented by the Jardine Spears Autism Foundation (JSAF) at their Inaugural Sneaker Gala in April.
“It is with utmost gratitude that we express our thanks to Daniel and Rae Matalon for their unwavering support of the Jardine Spears Autism Foundation and its efforts to provide access to beneficial programs for children with Autism,” said Tyrone Spears, Co-founder of the Jardine Spears Autism Foundation. “Their commitment to the foundation, along with the active involvement of the A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds and A 2nd Chance Monitoring teams in our programs, is invaluable to our work and our events.”
The Champion of Autism Award was presented in recognition of the outstanding support provided by the Matalons and their companies to JSAF since its founding in 2017. In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, awards were presented to community leaders for their contributions during the eight years the foundation has provided support to children with Autism and their parents.
More than 400 supporters of JSAF attended the Inaugural Sneaker Ball where civic, business and law enforcement leaders celebrated the successes of the foundation, started in honor of Jardine Spears. The Foundation was started after Jardine’s parents recognized that various therapies and activities enhanced their son’s development and academic success and wanted to share their experience with other families. In addition to providing resources to parents looking to access meaningful interventions, JSAF is also actively raising Autism awareness within Metro Atlanta’s law enforcement community, including organizing specialized training programs for officers.
“We are beyond appreciative of this recognition from the Spears family and this important organization,” stated Daniel Matalon, Founder and CEO of A 2nd Chance. “Serving the communities where we work and live is a core value for A 2nd Chance and being part of their work and seeing the successes, including Jardine’s inspiring growth and development, is really a privilege.”
To learn more about the Jardine Spears Autism Foundation visit www.jsautism.org.
About the Jardine Spears Autism Foundation:
The Jardine Spears Autism Foundation focuses on the holistic development and growth of children on the spectrum. The individual development of each child is most important. The primary objective of JSAF is to ensure children have access to swimming, music, martial arts, therapeutic horseback riding, bicycling and supportive programs that help in the developmental aspects of autism. JSAF also provides an open and receptive space for parents to share experiences, dialogue, and provide access to information on evidence-based practices and interventions to decrease autism symptoms while increasing language, positive social and adaptive behavior by helping families access services.
About A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds:
A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds is a leading bail bond agency, providing 24/7 assistance across Metro Atlanta, and in the Birmingham, Alabama region. With a network of strategically placed offices, they specialize in facilitating swift releases from custody, understanding that legal situations demand immediate action. Since its founding in 2007 by Daniel Matalon, A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds has grown to be one of the largest and most reliable bail bond providers in the region. Committed to guiding clients through the bail bond process with clarity and compassion, A 2nd Chance offers support for a wide range of offenses. In addition to providing bail bond services, A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds CEO Daniel Matalon also hosts the “Back Your Blue” radio show, which highlights positive news regarding law enforcement and the justice system and showcases community programs that promote public safety. For more information, please visit www.a2ndchancebailbonds.com.
About A 2nd Chance Monitoring:
A 2nd Chance Monitoring, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, delivers advanced electronic monitoring solutions to support the legal and court systems. provide cutting-edge monitoring devices and precise, exception-based reporting, ensuring accountability for pre-trial and probated individuals. As an affiliate of A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, they leverage extensive experience in the legal sector to offer reliable and efficient monitoring services with a focus to provide tools and 24/7 service that promote compliance and enhance public safety. For further information, please visit www.a2ndchancemonitoring.com.
In this episode, we sit down with Chief Buster Cushing, Chief of Police for Cherokee County Schools, and Officer Richie Rich for an in-depth conversation about school safety and the role of police presence in creating a secure environment for students and staff. They share insights into innovative tools like the Vector Alert System and Centegix, which are transforming the way schools respond to emergencies and communicate potential threats. We dive into the importance of building meaningful relationships between officers and students to foster trust, safety, and a sense of community within the schools. We also tackle one of the biggest debates in education today: Should schools ban cellphones during school hours? They share their perspectives on how cellphone policies can impact school safety and student engagement. If you’re passionate about student safety, community policing, or the future of our schools, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!