Going the extra mile for a client is what Courtney Wimer specializes in.
As a bail bond agent and office manager for All City Bail Bonds’ Tacoma location, a short drive down the I-5 from Federal Way, she frequently acts as a liaison between her clients and the range of social service providers they come into contact with, as well as officers of the court.
“When we post bail for somebody they’re our client – they’re not criminals or defendants – they’re our client and we try to go above and beyond for our clients,” Courtney says. “We’re dealing with people on what could be one of the worst days of their lives. We have to have a level of patience and tolerance and sometimes, it’s just about listening and doing what we can to steer them in the right direction.”
Developing a level of trust
Working with the families of people who must attend court, All City bail agents get a good sense of who the person is, their background and current life challenges. Given the company’s philosophy of providing caring service and helping people get back on track, a level of trust is built between agents and clients.
“When you include that circle of trust around people, it makes them want to be more responsible,” Courtney says. She receives texts or calls daily from clients needing advice, or even a ride to an appointment. “If someone wants the help and reaches out, we are here to help them. There’s a reason my cell number is on my business card.”
Helping involves wearing many hats
Courtney often finds herself lending clients a listening ear as they work through emotional, legal, family and other issues. “We’ll help them understand their case and provide them with proper documentation. There’s also times when we, unfortunately, have to go arrest clients that have failed to appear in court.”
One client failed to appear in court in Puyallup, but was suffering from a serious medical condition, she recalls. Courtney did her due diligence by handcuffing the client and driving her over, but not before calling the woman’s doctor and arranging for information about her condition to be faxed to the jail. Courtney waited for the client to be medically declined from the jail and then drove her back home.
“That’s the kind of thing All City does, we’re a Washington-grown, family-owned business that cares about people,” she says.
Giving a hand to those who want to help themselves
All City agents sometimes advise family members against posting bail for someone clearly not ready to change their life, Courtney says. And in situations where a client has supports, but the family cannot afford the cost of bail, payment plans can be set up, she says.
For more information about the bail bond process, visit allcitybailbonds.com or visit Courtney and her staff at the All City office in Tacoma at 1101 South Altheimer St. (see map below)
