NCJ Number
158593
Date Published
1994
Length
143 pages
Annotation
This training manual profiles the techniques and policies regarding the performance of specific functions by Kentucky's pretrial services officers, who obtain information pertinent to bail decisions and release conditions.
Abstract
The manual emphasizes the importance of the pretrial services officer maintaining neutrality in the collection and imparting of information on defendants. The interview of the defendant is first discussed; the interview should be a strong indicator of the defendant's potential for returning to court and stability in the community. Verification is next discussed to ensure that the information given by the defendant is correct. This is followed by guidelines for obtaining information on a defendant's criminal history. An objective point system has been developed to evaluate a defendant's likelihood of appearing in court based on confirmed factors such as length of residence, stability of personal relationships, employment history, and prior criminal offenses. Any Kentucky resident with eight or more verified points is eligible for program release. One section in this manual describes procedures for this point system. Other sections of the manual discuss the presentation of information to the court for review, the release, types of release, how to conduct 24-hour reviews, the rule of confidentiality, interviewing policies, the tracking system, the monitoring of conditional releases, the court appearance log, the monitoring of court appearance, and nonfinancial conditional release. Other topics considered are what to do when a defendant does not appear at court while on release, the jail log, affidavit of indigency, the monthly statistical report, the jail survey, and pretrial services administrative policies. The appendix contains the Court of Justice Personnel Policies, Travel Regulations, the Bail Bond Reform Act of 1976, Supreme Court Rules Relating to Bail, and the Uniform Schedule of Bail.