Bail in the Midwest

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, Susan Shapiro, President of All Pro Bail Bonds, for an in-depth discussion about California’s bail industry and the challenges facing bail professionals nationwide. Shapiro shares how her background in criminal law enforcement and experience as a fugitive recovery agent led to a successful career in the bail profession, where she now oversees 16 offices and more than 75 licensed bail agents. She discusses her approach to underwriting, risk management and the importance of personal accountability, community relationships and pretrial supervision in ensuring defendants appear in court. The conversation also examines ongoing legislative and judicial challenges to California’s bail system, including efforts to restrict fugitive recovery operations, require refunds of bail bond premiums and redefine standards for affordable bail. Shapiro offers her perspective on the California Supreme Court’s In re Kowalczyk decision, the defeat of legislation that would have eliminated commercial bail and the potential nationwide consequences of further restrictions on the industry. Finally, she discusses the importance of professional advocacy, public education and cooperation among bail associations in protecting the future of the bail profession.

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, Vincent Dixie, Tennessee State Representative for Nashville’s 54th District and a bail bondsman, for an in-depth discussion about Tennessee’s proposed constitutional amendment changing the state’s longstanding right to bail.  Dixie shares how his background in accounting and business led him into the bail industry and eventually into politics, where he has served in the Tennessee House since 2017.  The conversation examines what the proposed amendment would do, including its application to six specifically listed offenses and to other offenses carrying sentences that require a defendant to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before release.  Dixie discusses his concerns about the amendment’s potential impact on pretrial detention, plea decisions, defendants and their families, local governments and correctional systems, as well as the future of the bail profession.  He also talks about the importance of bail agents engaging with legislators, building relationships across party lines, understanding the role of local government and educating the public about the criminal justice system.  Finally, Dixie discusses his future in public service, the challenges of partisan politics and why he believes community involvement and constructive dialogue remain important to the political process.

Join host Shane Rolf as he talks with Anne Marie Schubert, former elected District Attorney of Sacramento County, California and currently the President & CEO of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, about the state’s criminal justice system and the policies reshaping crime, sentencing, parole and bail.  Schubert, who led the prosecution of the Golden State Killer, discusses Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, California’s parole system, efforts to eliminate secured bail, victims’ rights and the challenges of holding repeat offenders accountable.  She also explains how genetic genealogy is transforming cold-case investigations and helping law enforcement solve violent crimes, identify perpetrators and bring long-awaited answers to victims and their families.   https://cjlf.org/

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, Mike Solan, 27-Year Law Enforcement Veteran and former President of the Seattle Police Officers guild. Mike is currently a candidate for Pierce County Council (Washington State) and discusses voter apathy while encouraging the public to re-engage with issues that affect them. These issues include providing adequate staffing and resources for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and first responders as well as the Washington State Supreme Court's possible changes to bail regulations. Visit www.solanforpierce.com to learn more about Mike Solan.

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, Chris Blaylock, a veteran bail professional whose career spans retail bail agency ownership, national advocacy and surety leadership.  Mr. Blaylock reflects on his years operating a New Jersey bail agency that was ultimately forced to close following the state’s bail reform changes and how that experience led him to nearly a decade of advocacy work with the American Bail Coalition, where he served as Administrative Director.  He also discusses his current role at Universal Fire & Casualty Insurance Company, where he focuses on advocacy and distribution while re-engaging with the retail bail space.  The conversation explores New Jersey’s bail reform implementation, including preventive detention and risk assessment tools, major legal battles such as Walker v. Calhoun and California’s Senate Bill 10 and Proposition 25, and the broader national impact of reform litigation and messaging.  Mr. Blaylock also addresses the challenges facing the bail industry, including the aging demographic of agents, the need for new leadership and the importance of stronger state and national coordination to ensure the profession’s future.

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, James Lindblad, Past President of the Professional Bail Agents of Hawaii, as they discuss the evolution and current challenges of Hawaii’s bail system.  Mr. Lindblad reflects on his career in pre-trial release work beginning in the 1970s and later as a bail bondsman, offering a long-view perspective on how bail practice has changed over time.  The conversation focuses on Hawaii’s ongoing bail reform efforts and concerns that proposed changes are moving toward broader release policies that may not adequately consider public safety, flight risk or failure-to-appear history.  He also addresses the role of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the R Street Institute in shaping reform discussions, as well as legislative efforts including Hawaii House Bill 2413 and earlier task force recommendations, underscoring his call for a more balanced approach to pretrial justice in Hawaii.

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, Courtney Wimer, President of the Washington State Bail Agents Association, as they discuss proposed changes to court rules in Washington and their potential impact on the state’s pretrial system.  Ms. Wimer explains how the proposed “high likelihood of willful flight” standard, new limits on misdemeanor bond amounts and restrictions on judicial discretion could fundamentally alter how bail is set and enforced.  She raises concerns about separation of powers, noting that such sweeping changes are being pursued through court rulemaking rather than the legislative process and highlights the unprecedented number of public comments submitted in opposition.  The conversation also explores the broader implications for public safety, court administration and the balance between defendants’ rights and accountability within the criminal justice system.

Join host Shane Rolf and his guest, Susan Oetting, a Fort Wayne bail bondsman, fugitive recovery agent and author writing under the name “Grandma Susan.”  Ms. Oetting discusses her path into the bail profession and her work with a fourth-generation Indiana bonding company, while offering an inside look at the realities of fugitive recovery far removed from Hollywood portrayals of bounty hunters.  Drawing from her book, “Grandma the Bounty Hunter,” she shares true stories involving difficult apprehensions, dangerous vehicle encounters, deceptive field tactics and the challenges of working across state lines near major crime corridors connected to Chicago and surrounding Midwestern jurisdictions.

The discussion also explores the role women continue to play in a profession often assumed to be male-dominated, including the practical advantages and risks female agents face in the field.  Ms. Oetting addresses changing bail policy in Indiana, including the proposed constitutional amendment that would expand judicial authority to deny bail beyond murder and treason when a defendant is deemed a substantial danger to the community.  The episode offers a candid, experience-based perspective on bail enforcement, public safety and why more first-hand accounts from working bondsmen remain essential to understanding the profession.

Join host Shane Rolf as he interviews Mike Willever, a retired veteran of both local and federal law enforcement. Mike is the host of the Active Self Protection podcast, a show is consistently recognized as a top podcast in the area of self-defense. Active Self Protection, Mike's company, also provides training, both live and online. 

Shane and Mike discuss the mindset someone needs to foster to engage in Active Self Protection.

To learn more about Mike's work, visit www.activeselfprotection.com.

In this solo episode, host Shane Rolf examines the growing use of “cashless bail” and how these policies often lead to preventable tragedies. Drawing on recent high-profile cases from North Carolina, Illinois and Kansas --  including the murders of Iryna Zarutska -- individuals with extensive criminal histories are frequently released on signature bonds, despite prior failures to appear and escalating conduct.  He also highlights new research from California’s Yolo County which has seen higher rates of new crimes, violent offenses and repeat arrests from individuals released on zero-bail.  This episode offers a forceful critique of cashless bail policies and calls for legislative reform and greater judicial accountability to protect public safety.