The concept of digital identity is almost inescapable in the technologically advanced world that we live in today. If you own a smartphone or any form of communication, you have a digital identity. The very definition of digital identity is the information and data that identifies an individual in the digital world. This includes, but not limited to, online accounts (social media, websites, purchases, etc.), cloud usage, recognitions from organization, or anything that can be searched by using your name. This information follows an individual and identifies their habits, movements and relationships via the digital world. 

It must be very clear that the digital identity is not the same as the identity of an individual. Your identity is who you are and the characteristics that distinguish you from others. 

The Usage of Digital Identity in the Bail Bond Industry

The bail bond industry has been in operation for well over a hundred years and has faced many challenges during this time. Due to bail reform and state laws, the bail bondsman must adapt and change how they conduct business. From the beginning, bondsmen had to rely on the word of the defendant and the statutes from the courts to secure a bail. There had to be a trust between client and bondsman that the accused would appear for court dates, honor the payments required and not re-commit the crime or any other crime while released from jail. There were definite risks to taking on a defendant.

Since the inception, the bail bond industry has benefited from the advancements in technology and how they are able to conduct business. With the use of artificial intelligence, the bond agencies are able to collect data on potential clients and be able to predict the actions and movements of the accused. This digital infrastructure allows for transparency in the relationship between client and bondsman. 

By utilizing a defendant’s digital identity, the bail bond agency can track and communicate without having to be in physical contact with the person. Applications, documents and payments can be downloaded, completed, processed and stored in cloud storage within minutes and attached to the defendant’s permanent record. These types of transactions are just another layer to the digital identity of an individual. 

There is a level of risk when a bail bondsmen agrees to take on a defendant. By using the digital identity of a person, the bondsman has an assurance that this individual will adhere to the bail process. Not only does the defendant want to trust that the bondsman will have their best interests, the bondsman needs to have the same level of trust in the defendant. Digital identity can enhance the trust and security on both sides. The bondsman can predict the movements of their defendant, and the defendant can review and analyze if a bondsman will be fair and just to their case. 

The relationship between bondsman and defendant needs to be one of mutual respect and honesty. The bondsman is there to aid in the “get out of jail” for the defendant. The defendant is to follow the bail process to maintain the “get out of jail” relationship. These two have to work hand in hand in order for the process to be successful.