Okaloosa County BOCC — August 1, 2016 — Pretrial Services PBB

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA SERVICE AREA: COURT SERVICES DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: PRETRIAL SERVICES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Pretrial Services provides the Judiciary with critical and timely information to assist them in making informed decisions on bond at the defendant’s first court appearance. By providing this information, Pretrial Services facilitates the release of persons arrested, minimizes failures to appear in court and the potential danger to the community. Pretrial Services assists in managing the jail population by reducing unnecessary incarcerations and maximizing the rate of release. REVENUE: The Pretrial Services Program is funded in the General Fund. Supporting revenue of the General Fund are ad valorem taxes, communications service tax, local business tax, permits and fees, state shared revenue, charges for services, judgments and fines, miscellaneous revenue and transfers from other funds and Pretrial Services electronic monitoring fees. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS LAST YEAR:  Screened a total of 6,623 defendants at First Appearance for Pretrial Release, Mental Health Court, Veteran’s Court, and Drug Court referrals, and provided verified reports to the Judiciary which resulted in a total of 876 defendants placed under Pretrial supervision.  Served a monthly average of 66 defendants and supervised a monthly average of 35 defendants by the Mental Health Pretrial Officer and provided initial assessments, reports to the judges, and referrals for appropriate mental health treatment. Provided information to the Public Defender and Asst. State Attorney on the defendant’s mental health issues and treatment status, referrals to Mental Health Court program and Veteran’s Court Program, and referrals to other community resources. Practiced and implemented HIPPA Laws as they pertain to case files, documentation, and storage of defendant files.  Supervised a monthly average of 12 defendants on electronic monitoring program and recouped a total of $25,760 in fees for 2015.  Services performed have reduced the jail population.  Assist the Judiciary in making bond decisions 365 days a year. PROGRAM GOAL: Assist in reducing jail population by providing judiciary verified information at first appearance and facilitate the release of defendants to reduce incarcerations. To reduce potential dangers to residents of Okaloosa County by supervision and referrals to other court programs such as Drug Court, Veterans Court and Mental Health treatment programs, as well as minimize failures to appear in court. KEY OBJECTIVES: 1. To develop programs to permit Judiciary to maximize the rate of release for persons arrested and accused of crimes: a. First Appearance Screening Reviews – Provide Judiciary with verified information to assist them in making informed decisions on determining appropriate bonds. b. Pretrial Services Supervision Program – Minimize potential danger to the community posed by defendants released on bond and minimize failures to appear by ensuring strict adherence to court ordered conditions of release. c. Drug Court Screening and Referrals – Facilitate release from custody for persons arrested on felony drug charges into a diversionary drug treatment program.  d. Mental Health Assessment, Supervision, and Case Management- Provide Judiciary with adequate results of Mental Health Evaluations to assist in making informed decisions on setting bonds. Ensure defendants are referred to proper Mental Health Treatment as well as ensure they follow all recommended treatment to reduce future incarcerations and ensure safety of the community. e. Electronic Monitoring Program – Minimize potential danger to the community by providing a measure of protection to the victims and provides an alternative to incarceration. 2. Assist Judici