NCJ Number
65403
Date Published
1979
Length
97 pages
Annotation
THE HANDBOOK DESCRIBES THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY, AS WELL AS ITS PROCEDURES AND POLICIES.
Abstract
UNDER ITS PRESENT GOVERNING STATUTE (D.C. CODE S. 23-1301-1308), THE AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES FOR BOTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OFFICIALS AND ACCUSED CITIZENS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE PROVIDING INFORMATION TO JUDGES, POLICE, AND COURT OFFICIALS; NOTIFYING RELEASEES OF ALL COURT APPEARANCES; ASSISTING RELESSEES IN SECURING VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES; COORDINATING EFFORTS OF THIRD PARTY CUSTODY ORGANIZATIONS; AND PROVIDING APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE UNDERTAKINGS. THE AGENCY'S PRIMARY MISSION IS TO FACILITATE THE USE OF APPROPRIATE NONFINANCIAL RELEASE ALTERNATIVES BY DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES THAT WILL ENSURE APPEARANCE AS REQUIRED AND THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY. THE AGENCY PERFORMS FUNCTIONS THAT FALL INTO THREE BROAD CATEGORIES: (1) IT OBTAINS PERTINENT INFORMATION FOR THE COURT DURING THE INITIAL BAIL DETERMINATION; (2) IT SUPERVISES THOSE PERSONS GRANTED A NONSURETY FORM OF RELEASE AND REPORTS VIOLATIONS OF PRETRIAL RELEASEE CONDITIONS TO THE COURT AND THE U.S. ATTORNEY OR CORPORATION COUNSEL, AND (3) IT ASSISTS PRETRIAL RELEASEES IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT OR NECESSARY MEDICAL OR SOCIAL SERVICES. THE REPORT EXAMINES THE FLOW OF DEFENDANTS THROUGH THE PRETRIAL RELEASEE SYSTEM AND DESCRIBE BRIEFLY THE FUNCTIONING OF THE VARIOUS SECTIONS WITHIN THE AGENCY. RECOMMENDATION CRITERIA USED IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT, AND THE CITATION PROGRAM ARE EACH DESCRIBED SEPARATELY. RECOMMENDATION CRITERIA USED IN THE SUPERIOR COURT CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS BASICALLY (1) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RELEASEES, (2) RELEASEE NOT RECOMMENDED, AND (3) REQUEST FOR A PRETRIAL DETENTION HEARING. THE LAW GOVERNING RELEASEES IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT IS THE BAIL REFORM ACT OF 1966. RECOMMENDATION CRITERIA FOR THE CITATION RELEASEE PROGRAM ARE MORE STRINGENT THAN THE STANDARDS USED FOR ARRESTEES PROCESSED THROUGH THE COURTS. THESE CRITERIA ARE EXPLAINED IN DETAIL. THE HANDBOOK ALSO DESCRIBES THE AGENCY'S AUTOMATED SYSTEM OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED, AND APPENDIXES PRESENT RELATED STATUTES, AN INTERVIEW FORM, AND A RELEASEE ORDER. (PRG)