Orange County NC Website
8 <br /> Appendix A—Shadowing Pretrial Services in Orange County <br /> On Tuesday, July 24, 2012, Joyce Kuhn, Executive Director of Pretrial Services for Chatham and <br /> Orange Counties, provided the opportunity to shadow a "Day in Pretrial Services." <br /> The day begins with a visit to the Jail intake to receive a list of all individuals who were <br /> received by the correctional facility in the last twenty-four hours. I was quite amazed to see the <br /> process. The Coordinator interacted with the deputies on a very professional level. It was clear <br /> to me that relationships had been established with each of the officers. One even shared with <br /> me the importance of the program's ability to help those who cannot afford their set bond as <br /> well as the flexibility it provides the jail in terms of the total beds occupied. Upon receiving a <br /> list, the Coordinator also receives the basic information on the individual and his charges. <br /> The Coordinator then takes this information back to the office and proceeds with an arrest <br /> record search. These searches are conducted with the use of a State database which provides <br /> all arrest records, for all 100 counties in North Carolina, for all arrests from 1985 to present day. <br /> In a matter of moments, the search data will return details to provide the Coordinator with <br /> information that can help determine if a pretrial release would be a reasonable option that did <br /> not adversely affect the wellbeing of the community. In general, felony offenses and domestic <br /> abuse incidents are typically grounds for a rejection. In the case a rejection, Pretrial Services <br /> involvement with that client ends unless assigned by a judge at the individual's first <br /> appearance. <br /> If the individual does not have a history of violence or felony offenses, the Coordinator will <br /> go back to the correctional facility and request to meet with the individual. The interview lasts <br /> a minimum of twenty minutes. Some of the questions asked are asked of every client such as: <br /> • Are you aware of your charges? <br /> • Are there any markings on your body you'd like to report? <br /> • Are you on any medications? If so did you inform the deputies at intake? <br /> There are also additional questions that try to build a social picture for the individual. These <br /> questions can help provide insight to prior arrests, substance abuse or mental health issues, as <br /> well as other patterns that may indicate a need for an additional service or treatment option <br /> that can be provided outside of the correctional facility: <br /> • What is your current address, how long have you been at that residence? <br /> • Do you have any family in the area? If so, is there anyone you'd like me to contact? <br /> • Do you have any substance abuse problems? What substances are you currently using? <br /> • Have you tried treatment options or plans in the past before? <br /> • Do you have any history of mental health issues? <br /> • If from outside the area: What is it that brought you to Orange County? <br />