Despite the Hollywood-like allure of cunningly capturing rogue clients after cross-country road trips, bail bonding is more about tests and paperwork.
It takes a special type of person to be able to perform and tolerate the job - and make a living from it.
"The economy has hit us hard. People are having trouble coming up with the 10 percent to get out of jail," said bail bondsman Rusty Cash.
Following a friend who planned to become a bondman, Cash began running his own business in 2004.
Though he has had to pursue a "very low" percentage of clients, Cash says that is the more enthralling aspect of his work.
"It's 20 hours of boredom and 20 minutes of excitement," he said.