Pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 3154(3), U.S. Pretrial Services Officers are responsible for assisting, monitoring and supervising federal defendants placed under pretrial supervision by the Court.  

Based on information provided by the bail report, by the U.S. Attorney's Office, and defense counsel, the judicial officer (frequently a U.S. Magistrate Judge), determines the release status of defendants charged in this Court.  If there are identified risks (flight and/or danger to the community), the judicial officer can require that the defendant be supervised by the U.S. Pretrial Services Agency.  Supervision by our Agency begins once a defendant is ordered to be under pretrial supervision.  U.S. Pretrial Services Officers ensure that defendants understand all of the special conditions imposed by the Court.  For defendants who require services (e.g. substance use disorder counseling), the officers will assist with referrals to federally contracted treatment providers or community based services.  U.S. Pretrial Services Officers will also monitor compliance to all imposed conditions.  The officer's primarly role is to assist the defendant succesffuly complete their pretrial supervision period (appears for all court obliations and not incur any new criminal charges).   

Each defendant is supervised as an individual, following the "risk, needs, responsivity" model.  Defendants who do not have any identified needs and risks generally require less frequent contact with the officers.  Whereas defendants with a numerous identified needs and risks have more frequent contact, both in the office and in the community, with the officers.  U.S. Pretrial Services Officers and staff assist the defendants with ther needs and attempt to mitigate their risks by implementing an appropriate and realistic supervision plan, which might include referrals to treatment, assisting with basic needs, and monitoring movement and activities.  Supervision activities are not only customized based on each individual, but are regulary re-evaluated to determine what adjustments are needed to address needs and risks.  

Pretrial supervision is not punitive, rather it is intended to reaonably address identified needs and risks.  More importantly, it respoonsibly reduces unnecessary pretrial detention.