Former OCS Supplier Tami Pearl Reestablishes Vending Industry Ties In New Career As Bail Bond Agent

Tami Pearl

Many in the workplace refreshments industry recall Pearl as the friendly face behind Clean That Pot and J.T. Rawlins LLC, which marketed cleaning solutions for coffee and foodservice equipment. The companies, of which Pearl was president, closed their doors in 2006. She left the industry after 13 years and established herself in a new career as a bail agent.

Pearl says she's stayed in touch with many longtime peers from her vending and OCS days, and that several of them have enlisted her services as a bail bondswoman.

"The reality is that bad things can happen to good people and those good people could be you, your chief executive, your route driver, your secretary or a family member," she explained. "Every vending and OCS operator uses professionals like attorneys, consultants and accountants, but most don't think that they'll ever need a bail agent. Everyone should have a relationship with a trustworthy agent to cover their bases."

The former vending and OCS business leader emphasized that she has witnessed how unpredictably a situation can escalate and spiral out of control, and that no one is immune.

While attending an out-of-town trade show, for example, an employee may have a few too many drinks and get into an altercation. Likewise, any professional with a stellar reputation may unknowingly be driving with a friend who is on probation.

"If he gets pulled over and has drugs in the car, you go to jail, too," Pearl instanced. "It may also just be that your route driver is servicing an account and someone tells him a family member is in trouble, and if you have a relationship with a bail agent, you're in an immediate position to help."

How Does It Work?

For the court to allow a defendant to be released from custody, a bail bond must be posted, which is an insurance product from a surety company that guarantees the appearance of the defendant in court.

The bail agent then pays the surety company its share of the premium that binds the contract between the surety and the court to guarantee the defendant's appearance. When using a bail agent in California, the defendant pays a percentage of the premium to the bail agent. The premium is nonrefundable.

Pearl is licensed and bonded in California and writes bail for a national surety company. She has also brought several agents aboard in her company, Go 2 Bail Bonds. While Pearl can only write bonds in California, she can assist those in need of a bail agent in any state by referring them to another independent agent in that state who writes for the surety company with which she's affiliated. She is also a member of the California Bail Agents Association and Professional Bail Agents of the U.S.

"We take a chance to bail defendants out by posting bond," Pearl explained. "We say they'll show up for all dates and hearings and guarantee they'll go to court. We provide an invaluable service by working with the justice system, as well as to people who never expected to find themselves in need of our services."

Whether it's a business owner, an employee or either's family member in need of a bail agent, confidentiality is key, Pearl emphasized. That's why she strives to establish relationships with potential clients long before her services are needed -- if ever.

"I'm taking the relationship-building and care for customers that I established in coffee service and vending and using it with my bail bond company," Pearl said. "A lot of times, people will ask me to call their bosses, and many of them will help their employees. It's about building a relationship with an agent you know will go the extra mile and can be trusted, so you will not find yourself on the Internet looking if the need arises."

Through her experience in the court systems as a bail agent, Pearl also became a certified mediator and alternative dispute resolution expert. She can be reached at tamipearl@yahoo.com or (844) GO-2-BAIL and (906) 241-3964.