Agenda - 09-01-2015 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 One of the conditions a judge may impose is participation in the Pretrial Services program. Pretrial services staff monitor participants on a weekly basis through telephone or personal contact to maintain a connection to the court process and improve the likelihood the participant will attend future court dates. The staff also actively seek and refer participants to treatment if it is indicated as an additional condition of release. Once appropriate treatment is identified, the staff verify compliance with the treatment plan and report violations to the court. A violation may result in revocation of the pretrial release order and a warrant for the individual's arrest. The services provided by the pretrial program are intended to begin addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior, increase the probability that an individual will appear at future court dates, and decrease the probability of reoffending. If these outcomes are achieved, the program benefits the individual, improves the efficiency of the criminal justice system, and reduces pressure on the jail population. Pretrial Services operates on an annual budget of approximately$140,000. This budget supports 1.8 full time equivalent (FTE) employees as well as minor operating expenses. The program receives a majority of its operating revenue from Orange County. Pretrial staff also generate a modest amount of revenue by creating sentencing plans. These plans serve as expert witness testimony to a court official making a sentencing decision. Sentencing plans are currently outside of the scope of services prescribed by the contract with Orange County but represent an additional service to the judiciary. The program is currently housed in leased space near the Courthouse. Drug Court Program Drug Court also operates as an independent contractor. Like Pretrial Services,the Drug Court contract had been administered by the Department of Social Services until being moved to the County Manager's Office pending the results of this analysis. One of the contractual differences, however, is that administrative oversight is shared between the Chief District Court Judge and the County Manager due to the significant role the court plays in supervising the program. The goal of Drug Court is to rehabilitate drug and alcohol offenders who have been sentenced for a drug, alcohol, or related offense. In order to participate in the program, individuals must have a chemical dependency and must be willing to enter treatment. Participants are placed on probation with Drug Court services added as an additional responsibility during an individual's probation sentence. The conditions of Drug Court are imposed for a minimum of 12 months. Participation typically requires random drug testing, searches, curfews, and compliance with a recommended treatment plan. Individuals must also comply with all other conditions of probation, including designated hours of community service. Participants are also required to attend court two (2)times per month to review compliance with the program. Violations of these conditions result in temporary jail stays, and multiple violations may result in revocation of probation. Drug Court was previously funded through a State grant. However, state funding was eliminated in 2011, and since that time, the County assumed responsibility for funding the program. In the previous fiscal year, Drug Court received $65,000 in County funds. This revenue supports a 1.0 full time equivalent Drug Court Coordinator position and minor operating expenses.The program also receives a $25,000 grant from the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission to pay for drug testing, modest incentives for participant compliance, and staff development training. Space for the program is currently provided by the County on the ground level of the Courthouse. Page 1 2