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1. What is the purpose of Pretrial Services?

The purpose of Pretrial Services is to assist Judicial Officers in discharging their duties and in making bail release decisions or in reviewing and amending the conditions of release on bail at subsequent hearings. Pretrial Officers conduct interviews and investigations to provide better information for use by Judicial Officers. 

The information helps in determining the risk to public safety and the assurance of appearance in Court of persons age 18 or over, or persons under the age of 18 who have been transferred for trial as adults held in custody and charged with an offense, other than an offense punishable by death, who are pending trial or hearing. In addition, Pretrial Services provide supervision of defendants placed in the custody of the program and assure compliance with the conditions of release imposed by Judicial Officers.

2. What are the program objectives of Pretrial Services?

To expedite defendant release and improve judicial decision making through the provision of defendant background information and recommendations for use by Judicial Officers in determining or reconsidering the risk to public safety and appearance in court, pending trial. To reduce failure to appears in court and improve public safety by providing custody and supervision to pretrial defendants. To alleviate jail overcrowding, thereby reducing jail operating costs and future capacity needs of local jails, caused by unnecessary detention of certain pretrial defendants. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local criminal justice systems.

3. How are clients placed on local probation supervision and referred to PCC?

Individuals are placed on local probation supervision and referred to PCC by Judges in the Juvenile, General District and Circuit Courts in Petersburg and Dinwiddie as a sentencing option, and an alternative to incarceration.

4. What services are available through PCC?

Available services to the court are: probation supervision, alcohol and drug testing, alcohol and drug screening and assessments, referrals for alcohol and drug education and treatment, anger management classes, shoplifting prevention classes, Thinking for Change (T4C) classes, restitution collection and monitoring and community service placement and monitoring.

5. Who is eligible for placement with PCC?

Eligibility is in accordance with Virginia Code 19.2-303.3 and includes: Offenders 18 years old, or considered an adult at the time of conviction, of a misdemeanor or a non-violent felony for which the court may impose a jail sentence.

6. How long is an individual on probation supervision?

A client who has a return to court date established must be supervised until the return to court date, or three months if the client has completed all court ordered requirements, whichever comes first. A client without an established return to court date, the general guideline is three months minimum for misdemeanants and six months minimum for felons. Generally, a substance abuse tested client must remain on supervision until his return to court date or six months, whichever comes first. Individuals remain on probation supervision until the Court has approved their release.

7. What are the responsibilities of the client while under Local Probation Supervision?

The main conditions are as follows: 

•Keep the peace, be of good behavior, and not violate any municipal, county, state, or federal laws and ordinances

•Follow PCC Officer’s instructions and be truthful and cooperative

•Do not illegally use, possess, or distribute narcotics, dangerous drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia

•Meet with their Local Probation Officer as instructed

•Comply with all court ordered requirements.

8. Does an individual pay a fee for participation in the Local Probation Supervision Program?

Yes, all individuals under local probation supervision will be charged a one-time supervision/intervention fee of $150.00, unless transferred to PCC from another agency, or the fee is reduced or waived for good cause.

9. What if I can’t make my scheduled appointment because of school or work?

It is your responsibility to contact your Probation Officer to reschedule your appointment.

10. Can I choose my community service site?

No, your assigned probation officer will assign you to an appropriate community service site and will make every effort to assign you to a site conducive to your employment/school/childcare schedule(s).