(A) License required. No person, firm, or corporation, other than a surety company licensed under the laws of Ohio, shall demand or receive, directly or indirectly compensation for becoming surety or providing surety on any bail bond, recognizance bond, appeal bond, or other court bond required to be filed in the village in any court with jurisdiction in the village, unless such person, firm, or corporation shall have been licensed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(B) Fees. Any responsible person 21 years of age or older, or any firm or corporation may obtain from the Village Auditor a license to do business as a professional bondsman or payment of an annual license fee of $50. All licenses shall expire on December 31 of the year in which they are issued. Renewals may be issued between December 1 and December 31 for the ensuing year.
(C) Compensation limitation.
(1) No person, firm, or corporation shall demand or receive as compensation for becoming surety or providing surety on any bail bond, recognizance bond, appeal bond, or other court bond in excess of 10% of the amount of such bond. Except, a minimum charge of $10 may be made on bonds in amounts of less than $100.
(2) The person paying such compensation shall be furnished a receipt showing the amount of the bond and the amount of compensation charged.
(D) Revocation, suspension, and supervision of licenses. The Council shall exercise supervision over all persons, firms, or corporations doing business as professional bondsmen and shall be authorized at any time to direct the Finance Director to revoke or suspend the license of any such person, firm, or corporation found guilty by the Council of extortion or dishonesty in connection with such business.
(E) Signing of bond without license. No person, firm, or corporation shall sign any bail, recognizance bond or appeal bond, or other court bond unless he or she has adequate surety. Adequate surety shall be deemed to be in the amount of a sum at least double the amount of the bond signed.
(1995 Code, § 110.03) (Ord. 1-1962, passed 2-5-1962) Penalty, see § 110.99