Final answer:
Bondsmen and runners are prohibited from impairing the obligation of contracts and from abridging the privileges or immunities of citizens, as well as denying due process and equal protection of the laws. Moreover, they must adhere to the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits setting excessive bail, imposing excessive fines, and inflicting cruel and unusual punishments.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are certain actions that are prohibited for bondsmen or runners in their dealings with law enforcement. First, they must not impair the obligation of contracts, which means they cannot interfere with the legal and binding agreements set forth in contracts, including the terms set for bail. Secondly, they are not allowed to abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens, deny due process, or hinder the equal protection of the laws. These protections are enshrined in the constitution to ensure that every citizen is treated fairly and justly within the legal system.
In the context of bail, it is also important to remember that, according to the Eighth Amendment, excessive bail shall not be required. This means that bondsmen or runners cannot set bail at an amount that is unreasonably high relative to the nature of the offense and the risk of the accused not appearing for trial. The Eighth Amendment also ensures that excessive fines are not imposed, and cruel and unusual punishments are not inflicted, thereby protecting citizens from disproportionate penalties.