Pretrial Services

Pretrial Services

According to the California law (Penal Code section 1270), a person arrested for a non-capital offense is entitled to be considered for a release on their own recognizance by a “court magistrate”. California law (Penal Code section 1318.1) authorizes a court, with the concurrence of the Board of Supervisors, to employ an investigative staff for the purpose of preparing investigative reports for the courts to be used to determine a defendant’s eligibility for a release on his or her own recognizance.

Pretrial Services Provided by the Mono County Probation Department upon referral from the Mono County Superior Court

  • Jail screening and interviewing of arrestees.
  • In-depth investigation of the arrestee’s ties to the community, past record, potential danger to the community, past history of failures to appear, and the seriousness of the current criminal charges.  Investigation includes contact with the arrestee’s references, victims, and Probation/Parole Officers.
  • Administering a Pretrial Risk Assessment to determine the arrestee's risk level and needs.  The assessment relies on criminal history, demographic, and/or socioeconomic information to make “risk predictions” of whether individuals are likely to be arrested during the pretrial period or to miss their court date.
  • Preparation of a written report, (Bail Review Report), to the court and the presiding magistrate, summarizing the defendant’s ties to the community and a recommendation for or against release.
  • Supervised release for selected defendants to insure they make all court dates, monitor compliance with court ordered conditions of release, and provide resource referrals for those defendants in need of substance abuse, psychiatric or domestic violence counseling; housing; and medical aid.