Pretrial supervision protects the public by reducing the risk that persons under supervision will commit future crimes and provides a cost-saving alternative to imprisonment. 

Pretrial officers supervise defendants released to the community until they are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the charges are dismissed, or they are acquitted.  The officers' supervision responsibilities are to: 1) monitor defendants' compliance with their release conditions; 2) manage risk; 3) provide necessary services as ordered by the Court, such as substance abuse treatment; and 4) inform the Court if the defendant violates the release conditions.

When the officer receives a case for supervision, the officer reviews the information about the defendant, assessing any potential risk the defendant presents, and any supervision issues that may affect the defendant's ability to comply with the release conditions.  The officer selects appropriate supervision strategies and develops a supervision plan, which the officer modifies if the defendant's circumstances change.

Among the officer's supervision duties are monitoring the defendant through personal contacts and telephone calls with the defendant and collateral contacts, including family members, employers, and treatment providers; meeting with the defendant in the Pretrial Services Office, and at the defendant's home and place of employment; helping the defendant obtain employment; and helping the defendant find medical, legal, or social services.

If the defendant violates the release conditions, the officer notifies the Court.  Depending on the circumstances, the officer may recommend that the Court conduct a hearing to decide whether to modify the release conditions, revoke the defendant's bail, issue a bench warrant, or order the defendant detained.