Title
Report to the Legislature | Pretrial Pilot Program (Action Required)
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Summary
The Budget Act of 2019 earmarked $75 million to the Judicial Council to launch and evaluate two-year pretrial projects in local trial courts. As directed by the Legislature, the projects aim to increase the safe and efficient release of arrestees before trial; use the least restrictive monitoring practices possible while protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances; validate and expand the use of risk assessment tools; and assess any bias. Judicial Council staff in Criminal Justice Services recommend that the Judicial Council receive Pretrial Pilot Program: Report to the Legislature (January 2021), and direct the Administrative Director to submit this report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Department of Finance. The Budget Act of 2019 mandates that this report be submitted each January and July through 2022. This is the third legislative report on the Judicial Council’s Pretrial Pilot Program and documents the activities of pilot courts and Judicial Council administration of the program carried out between July and December 2020. It also presents select data on pretrial risk assessments conducted on individuals in all pilot projects since the start of the program.
Recommendation
Criminal Justice Services staff recommend that the Judicial Council, effective January 22, 2021:
1. Receive Pretrial Pilot Program: Report to the Legislature (January 2021); and
2. Direct the Administrative Director to submit this report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Department of Finance.