Pretrial Services

About
About
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​​​ ​Under the guidelines of Florida Statutes, the Pretrial Services utilizes evidence based practices in support of pretrial justice by utilizing effective investigative techniques and supervision practices. Pretrial defendants are managed in the community until case disposition, thereby saving costly jail beds for higher risk offenders. The program is responsible for providing pretrial release investigations to the Court so that Judges can make informed release or detention decisions. These investigations include identifying risk factors which may impact public safety. The Pretrial Services program provides customized levels of supervision for defendants released by the Court as an alternative to incarceration in the county jail. All of the Pretrial Staff are required to obtain and maintain Certified Pretrial Services Professional (CPSP) certification through the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA).
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True
Population Served
Population Served

​Staff interview and verify information obtained from detainees at the Alachua County Jail prior to their First Appearance Hearing. Staff do not interview arrestees who are Department of Corrections prisoners, escapees, federal in-transits, here only on out -of- county or out-of-state charges, hospitalized, in jail on other charges (in-house inmates), or if they are too intoxicated/violent.

False
Pretrial Investigations
Pretrial Investigations

​Pretrial Investigations are completed for First Appearance Hearings, 365 days a year. Staff interviews defendants and attempt to verify information via phone contact with relatives, friends, employers, etc. Staff review local and National/State (NCIC/FCIC) criminal histories as well as complete and review a pretrial risk and needs assessment. The Pretrial Investigative Summary is communicated to the Court and includes criminal history review, preliminary risk/ needs assessments and identifies high risk domestic violence, sexual and violent offenders. Pretrial Services Court Officers also attempt to contact victims of domestic violence during the investigation process to ascertain whether there are safety and/or security concerns that need to be reported to the Judge during First Appearance. The Judiciary uses the investigation to make informed release or detention decision as well as order treatment and/or any special conditions of release based on Florida Statutes which address public safety.

False
Supervision
Supervision

There are three levels of community based supervision. Defendants are supervised on the least restrictive level of supervision required by their conditions of release. Defendants receive referral(s) to appropriate treatment or social service agencies as needed.

False
Jail Population Review
Jail Population Review

​Court Services has a jail population review process that is performed by a Centralized Screening Team (CST). CST screens eligible detainees who remain in custody 96 hours after their First Appearance Hearing. In collaboration with the Department of the Jail, the judiciary and treatment partners, the Pretrial Release Assessment Specialists develop and propose release plans to manage low risk offenders on lower cost community based supervision. Referrals for program screenings are made by defense attorneys and community partners for defendants in a pretrial status who remain in custody and are appropriate for Court Services programs or expedited sentencing at bond reduction hearings.

False
Electronic Monitoring (EM) and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)
Electronic Monitoring (EM) and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)

Defendants and probationers are supervised using technology to monitor them 24 hours a day. They have approved activities such as work, church, school, court and self- help appointments. Home and or worksite visits conducted randomly each week. EM can also be used punitively to "lockdown" defendants for any specified period of time.

False
Thermal Alcohol Detection (TAD)
Thermal Alcohol Detection (TAD)

Defendants and Probationers are supervised using technology to monitor their alcohol consumption 24/7.

False
Eligibility
Eligibility

Defendants with pending adult criminal charges; Defendants who can be effectively managed in the community depending on risk and need assessments;  and Defendants who have violated prior pretrial release supervision are reviewed and may be appropriate for a higher level of supervision.

False
Fees
Fees

Currently, Pretrial defendants are not charged any fees for participation in the program. However, defendants supervised on electronic monitoring pay nominal fees to defray program costs.

False
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Client Survey Results

Contact:

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Pretrial Services
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  • Nadia Penelton-Scott
  • Program Supervisor (Pretrial Supervision)
  • 249 West University Avenue (Rear Entrance)
  • Gainesville, FL Gainesville
  • Phone: 352-338-7347
  • Fax: 352-338-3299
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
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  • Ebony Glenn
  • Program Supervisor (First Appearance & Centralized Screening Team)
  • 35 North Main Street
  • Gainesville, FL Gainesville
  • Phone: 352-548-3808
  • Fax: 352-338-7364
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
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