NCJ Number
158604
Date Published
1995
Length
99 pages
Annotation
According to the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies, goals and purposes of pretrial drug testing should be consistent with and support established roles and objectives of pretrial services agencies in the adjudication process.
Abstract
A pretrial drug testing program should serve as an adjunct to the pretrial services process. Drug testing should supplement and not be a substitute for existing pretrial services agencies that perform pretrial tasks for the court. A pretrial drug testing program should achieve the following objectives: develop programs that allow judicial officers to maximize the rate of nonfinancial release for persons arrested and accused of a crime; ensure the speedy release from custody or detention of persons awaiting trial; ensure the integrity of program standards to reduce inequities in the pretrial release system; minimize failures to appear in court; and minimize the potential risk to the community posed by the release of certain persons. Management oversight of the pretrial drug testing function is discussed, as well as prearraignment drug testing, defendant selection, due process issues, specimen collection, drug testing methodologies and protocols, confidentiality, information storage and reporting, and drug testing evaluation and monitoring. 189 references