Established in 1975, Pretrial Services was created with the goal of reducing the jail population while ensuring that defendants appear for their court dates and are not a public safety risk while under pretrial release. Pretrial Services screens those in custody for program eligibility by recommending the release of those defendants who have been carefully reviewed for qualification for either Pretrial Release or Electronic House Arrest. Defendants scheduled for the first appearance who are willing and accessible are interviewed to provide the court with stability factors, community ties, mental health history, and substance use disorder concerns. The judge may consider these factors when making a decision regarding a bond.
Supervision levels and conditions of release are determined by the court upon review of the charge allegations, criminal history, the public safety assessment's suggested risk level, community ties, and mental health or substance abuse concerns identified during first appearance screening.
Pretrial Supervision includes defendant check ins, office and/or field contacts, arrests and new charges monitoring, and if court ordered, referrals for services.
Pretrial Supervision also supervises criminal defendants that judges place on electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration pretrial. The length of electronic monitoring lasts until case disposition or until the court has determined the defendant has exhibited compliance with court orders and demonstrated to the court that they pose a lower risk to the community.
For more information, email: pretrial@cumberlandcountync.gov, eha@cumberlandcountync.gov