APPEARANCES PROVE IMPORTANT IN THE BAIL-BONDSMAN BUSINESS

JACKSON -- After working six years as a deputy for the Cape County Sheriff's Department, Lonnie Moore decided to pursue a new career in a field related to law enforcement. He became a bail bondsman.

Moore works for A-A Action Bail Bonds of Doniphan, and covers Cape, Perry, Scott, and Ste. Genevieve counties. He was recruited by the company a little over three years ago when he was a deputy.

Moore said many people misunderstand what bail bondsmen do. His job, he said, is much like that of an insurance salesman: he sells insurance policies based on people showing up in court.

"Say an individual is arrested for DWI and the man does not have $500 for the bond," said Moore. "He contacts me and can purchase a bond for a set fee, set by state statute.

"The company I work for gives me the power of attorney to issue surety bonds for the company. So I would issue a bond for $500. A bond is much like an insurance policy; he shows up in court or faces forfeiture of that $500 bond. It guarantees he will be in court."

Moore is authorized to write any size bond. A state felony charge might have a bond of $5,000, but the majority are substantially less, he said. Moore writes about 20 bonds a month.

Bail bondsmen are licensed through the Missouri Division of Insurance. They provide proof of their certification to the courts in which they want to do business, and their names are then placed on a list of bondsmen.

"A list of qualified bondsmen is kept at law enforcement offices," explained Moore. "Anyone that is incarcerated is given a chance to look at this list and call whoever they want."

Law enforcement officers cannot recommend bail bondsmen; however, attorneys often do.

In Cape County, Moore is one of six qualified bondsmen. Moore said he is proud that most of his people show up in court and that very little of his time is spent hunting down people for missing court dates. "I try to `collateralize' the bonds by getting someone to co-sign the bond application itself, just like co-signing a note at the bank," said Moore.

"I don't hunt people down too much, and I like to think it is because I take the time to collateralize my bonds. My percentage of those who don't show up is very low. If you develop a good rapport with the people you are bonding, you will have a better appearance rate."

Moore believes his experience in the sheriff's office is a benefit because it gave him a sound understanding of the court system and process.

One of the best things about his job, Moore said, is "basically I am self-employed. Sure, I have my boss to answer to, but fortunately I have a good supervisor. I am given a lot of freedom to work on my own."

Moore said he enjoys being around police officers and talking with people while "traveling from cop shop to cop shop." He said he also enjoys helping people. Most people he writes bonds for are glad to see him, he said. "Incarceration is not normally a pleasant thing," said Moore. "I feel sorry for some of the people."

Moore said he doesn't know what it is like to be in jail because one of the prerequisites of being licensed is to have no felony convictions.

One of the worst parts about his job is being called at 2:30 or 3:30 in the morning. "I have quite a few late-night calls, and you have to learn to sleep with one ear open," he said.

Usually, before making a trip at night, Moore said he talks with a police officer to get some background on the person and the circumstances of his arrest.

Another drawback to the job is locating defendants who have missed their court dates. "I don't consider myself, and don't want to be, a bounty hunter," said Moore. "There is no glamour in that."

But, when he has to find someone, Moore said his law enforcement experience helps. He also believes his law enforcement background causes some of his people to have second thoughts about running.

Contrary to popular belief, bail bondsmen do not sit around jails waiting for business, Moore said. The majority of bonds he writes comes directly through the courts, he explained.

"Most of us rely on prior experience from someone bonded with us before. We hope they would recommend us to someone else."

Moore often contacts people he has bonded to remind them of court dates to make sure they are present. Also, court officials will sometimes contact Moore when they are having trouble getting in touch with people he has bonded.

"It is in my interest to help them, so quite naturally I help when I can," said Moore.

He said the job "is an honorable profession" even though, before the profession was licensed and regulations passed by state law, there may have been a few shady characters in the business.

"I always tell folks, `When I was a cop anybody could put a gun on your hip and a badge on your chest and not be a good person.' But I always tried to treat people the way I want to be treated," said Moore. "I do the same thing now; I go to bed with a clear conscience. I take pride in myself and my job."