CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Common sense and negotiation are words to live by according to bail bondsman Lloyd Patterson. He's been posting bonds for people who get arrested and tracking down bail jumpers for more than 24 years.

"Naturally, if the person fails to go to court, we're going to try to rearrest and bring that person back to the Mecklenburg County Jail," he said.

Paterson said the majority of the time, you can reason with people who don't show up for court and get them to turn themselves in without a big hassle. But sometimes things go wrong.

"Sometimes people can just blow up on you," said Patterson.

If a bail bondsman knows that the suspect is in the house and thinks it's safe, he can take action.

"We can go to the residence and demand entry and if the person refuses, we can break and enter," said Patterson.

He said like any job, personal safety is a priority.

"We do carry guns at all times, carry pepper spray, which we find very handy," said Patterson.

He stresses that using a weapon is the last thing they want to do.

"Generally, a weapon is used as a deterrent. It's just a deterrent that it's there, usually the weapon is never pulled," Patterson.