Pretrial Services provides accurate and timely information to the Court on criminal defendants appearing in First Appearance thus allowing the Court to make an informed decision as to the least restrictive level of supervision in accordance with the Florida Statutes; Community supervision and case management services are provided to pretrial defendants to ensure compliance with release orders and Court appearances; facilitate effective management of criminal cases, monitor jail population rates while enhancing public safety .
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), too intoxicated/violent, or juveniles who are not being held over as adults.
Admission to the Program
At First Appearance and Bond Reduction Hearings, Judges release defendants to Pretrial Services for supervision. Most defendants are court ordered for supervision.
Other Relevant Information
MENTAL HEALTH COURT - Alachua County Court Services in partnership with the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Department of Children and Families, defense attorneys, state attorneys and treatment providers developed a Mental Health Court program to deal with defendants arrested for misdemeanor offenses who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled. Mental Health Court serves as a pre-adjudication diversion program in which charges of the defendants who successfully complete Mental Health Court will be dismissed. Participation in Mental Health Court is voluntary and the average length of the program average six to nine months.
ELECTRONIC MONITORING - Defendants 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.
Can be used punitively to "lockdown" defendants for any specified period of time
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.
For More Information
Gerie R. Crawford
Pretrial Services Manager
14 NE 1st Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 338-7348
gcrawford@alachuacounty.us