NCJ Number
68035
Date Published
1980
Length
26 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATION GUIDELINES USED BY THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY IN DECISIONS REGARDING THE PRETRIAL HANDLING OF ACCUSED ARE PROVIDED.
Abstract
IN 1971, ALONG WITH OTHER CHANGES MADE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S COURT STRUCTURE, CONGRESS ENACTED TWO SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS AFFECTING BAIL AND ITS ADMINISTRATION. IN ONE PROVISION, THE BAIL AGENCY WAS TRIPLED IN SIZE AND GIVEN STATUTORY FUNCTIONS OF A SUPERVISORY NATURE. IN THE OTHER PROVISION, THE COURTS WERE AUTHORIZED TO CONSIDER ANY THREAT POSED TO COMMUNITY SAFETY BY THE PRETRIAL RELEASE OF A SUSPECT AND TO SET CONDITIONS THAT WOULD REDUCE THE RISK OF DANGER. IN 1977, THE AGENCY TO REEVALUATE ITS RECOMMENDATION CRITERIA AND DEVELOPED GUIDELINES OF PRETRIAL DECISIONS WHICH SEPARATE FACTORS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SAFETY AND THOSE RELATED TO TRIAL APPEARANCE. THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THE PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY IS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO THE PERSON CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING PRETRIAL RELEASE CONDITIONS TO PERMIT THE SETTING OF THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS THAT WILL ASSURE APPEARANCE IN COURT AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. PROBLEM INDICATORS ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE BROAD CATEGORIES: INDICATORS OF FAILURES TO APPEAR, INDICATORS OF PERSONAL VIOLENCE, AND INDICATORS OF REARREST. SOLUTIONS ARE ALSO DIVIDED INTO THREE BROAD CATEGORIES: FACTORS THAT MINIMIZE THE PERCEIVED RISK OF FAILURE TO APPEAR, FACTORS THAT MINIMIZE THE PERCEIVED RISK OF PERSONAL VIOLENCE, AND FACTORS THAT MINIMIZE THE PERCEIVED RISK OF REARREST. THE TASK OF THE AGENCY IS TO FORMULATE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT MATCH THE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS POSED, BASED UPON THOROUGH AND ACCURATE DATA COLLECTION. THE APPENDIXES PROVIDE A LIST OF VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS CRIMES AND APPROXIMATELY 30 REFERENCES.