You’ve been arrested….now what?? Well, the first thing you must do is bond out of jail (if eligible for a bond) by posting a cash bond or via surety bond through a bonding agency. However, depending on your case, you may have other stipulations and conditions upon your release.
One of the many avenues of release is through a Pre-Trial Release program (PTR). This may be granted at your initial appearance (IA) along with a bond amount, or on its own without a bond amount. The PTR program provides supervision for those offenders who have been charged with an offense and are awaiting trial or other disposition of their case. It is utilized by the Courts to improve the percentage of offenders that appear for their case disposition. Defendants report weekly either in person or by phone and court date appearance is stressed.
Another potential condition of release may be Home Confinement or House Arrrest. Electronic monitoring is offered by Court Programs, Inc. They provide an alternative option to incarceration. House arrest has three options available as to its use: First, traditional house arrest provides the defendant with a transmitter and a monitor that is attached to an active telephone line inside their residence. Second, there is the ability to monitor defendants that do not have a telephone or who can’t afford one. This is through cellular phone technology within the house arrest unit. The third option is Global Positioning Systems, (G.P.S.). Active G.P.S. is an intensive supervision with the defendant being monitored constantly via satellite technology. It enables us to track the exact location of the defendant and his movements anywhere in the world. We utilize a one piece unit which is active and operates on cellular technology. Provides electronic monitoring of certain offenders or accused offenders in the community. Officers supervise these individuals through field visits, phone contacts, and electronic monitoring. Community Surveillance reduces jail overcrowding and provides an extra level of supervision for certain inmates who are released from jail to await trial after posting bail or are sentenced to house arrest. You can visit the Court Programs, Inc. website at www.courtprograms.com or contact them at 407.426.8199.
In some instances, mostly alcohol related, the IA judge may order you to be placed on a SCRAM device. The SCRAM device monitors the consumption of alcohol by pre-trial or convicted offenders. This is done through a ankle monitor and is utilized by various Courts throughout the United States. This system enables the Court to enforce the condition of no consumption of alcohol on related cases.
The above mentioned are the most popular forms of Pre-Trial Release. If you find yourself in any of said situations, we are here to help. Our office has successfully petitioned the Court to modify these terms and conditions of PTR. If you have any questions regarding your case, please contact our office.
-Christopher Atcachunas
