Bonding company challenges sheriff's power of selection

MCDONOUGH - A bail bonding company is suing Henry County Sheriff Donald Chaffin, challenging a state law that gives sheriffs the power to select bonding companies. <br> <br> Chaffin had told Freedom Bail Bonding that the county did not want a third bail bonding company. Eagle Bonding in McDonough and Jam Bonding in Lovejoy are the only bail bonding companies permitted to work in the county south of Atlanta. <br> <br> Freedom&#39;s suit, filed this week in Superior Court, contends two state statutes give sheriffs too much power to turn away bail bonding companies. <br> <br> David Scoggins, Freedom&#39;s general manager, said having more companies would give inmates more options for release, thus relieving overcrowding. Chaffin said Henry&#39;s jail was 48 inmates over capacity Tuesday. <br> <br> Chaffin said he couldn&#39;t see any serious problems with allowing more bonding companies in Henry, but ``I just don&#39;t feel like we need any more.&#39;&#39; Many inmates choose to have family members put up property bonds, he said. <br> <br> Coweta County Sheriff Michael Yeager, president of the Georgia Sheriffs&#39; Association, said sheriffs have to maintain control over bonding companies because together they are responsible for making sure individuals appear in court.