Working with DC Pretrial Services After a Criminal Charge

Getting arrested and charged with a crime in DC can be a scary and overwhelming experience. As you go through the criminal justice process, you’ll likely have to deal with DC Pretrial Services, the agency that helps courts decide whether to release defendants before their trial. This article will explain what pretrial services are, how they work with defendants, and some tips for working with them effectively.

What is DC Pretrial Services?

Pretrial Services agencies help courts figure out whether to let defendants await trial at home or keep them in jail[1][2]. DC Pretrial Services is an independent agency that’s part of the federal court system[2]. Their job is to investigate defendants’ backgrounds and recommend if they should be released or detained before trial[3].

Pretrial officers interview defendants, check their criminal history, verify employment, run drug tests, and assess if they’re likely to commit new crimes or skip court dates[4]. Then they give all this info to the judge to help decide on bail or release conditions.

Why Do Courts Use Pretrial Services?

The main goals of pretrial services are:

• Help courts make better pretrial release decisions
• Provide supervision for defendants out on bail
• Reduce unnecessary jailing before trial[1]

Studies show that keeping low-risk people in jail before trial can actually increase recidivism and failures to appear in court[5]. So pretrial services aim to identify defendants who can safely be released with monitoring. This saves taxpayer money on jail costs too.

What Should I Expect from Pretrial Services?

If you’re arrested on federal charges in DC, here’s what to expect from pretrial services[3][4]:

Initial Interview

After your arrest, a pretrial officer will interview you to get background info, like your employment, finances, health, drug use history, and criminal record. Be honest and don’t try to hide anything, as they’ll find out anyway.

Risk Assessment

The officer will use your interview answers to score a risk assessment tool. This estimates your risk of committing new crimes or failing to appear in court if released before trial. Lower scores mean you’re a good candidate for pretrial release.

Recommendation

The pretrial officer takes your interview, risk score, criminal history, and any victim statements to make a recommendation to the judge. They’ll suggest if you should be released on personal recognizance, released with conditions like drug testing, or detained in jail.

Supervision

If the judge releases you pretrial, the pretrial agency may supervise you. This can involve drug testing, treatment referrals, monitoring curfews and travel, and more. Violating release conditions can land you back in jail.

Violation Reports

If you violate release conditions, pretrial services will report it to the court. Common violations are failed drug tests, missed appointments, new arrests, or leaving town without permission. The judge then decides on any penalties, like increased monitoring or jail time.

Conclusion

Going through pretrial services can be intimidating, but being prepared helps. Learn the pretrial release process, be honest and compliant, get support if needed, and maintain clear communication. With focus and determination, you can get through pretrial smoothly and hopefully be released pending your trial date. Don’t let pretrial derail you – work with pretrial services constructively so you can move forward and focus on resolving your criminal case.