Pretrial Release Condition Job Aid
D.C. Superior Court Edition
Courtroom clerks play a crucial role in ensuring court proceedings run smoothly and that defendants’ Pretrial Release Orders adhere to judicial instructions. This guide is designed to help you complete the release order correctly, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the judicial process
The following guidance provides a detailed breakdown of each section of the Pretrial Release Order and clarifies when to select the specific release conditions based on the judge’s instruction
Important note: you must contact a PSA Court Representative when the court orders:
Electronic monitoring conditions, Bed-to-bed substance use disorder treatment placement, and/or Placement into Sanction-Based Treatment
If you have questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact:
George Monk, Unit Chief, Supervision Unit II
George Monk@psa gov 202-631-0451
Jeffrey Wright, Unit Chief, Drug Testing and Release Services Unit
Jeffrey Wright@psa gov 202-631-0492
I Report Immediately to Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Room C-301
II Substance Use Testing
III. Firearms
IV Stay Away
V Fugitive
VI Initial Reporting Requirements (PSA)
VII Reporting Requirements (Probation/Parole/Supervised Release)
VIII Reporting for Supervision Orientation
IX
XI. Urgent Care Clinic
XII
XIV. Electronic Monitoring
XV Diversion/Community Service
XVI Sanction-Based Treatment
Condition
Report to C-301
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example A
Guidance
Select if the court orders the defendant to report immediately to C-301 to review their conditions of release
Please note that if the court orders a specific date/time to report to C-301, document it in the Other Requirements section
II. Substance Use Testing
Report to PSA, Room C-220, for weekly testing
Evaluation, if positive, weekly testing
Diversion
Select this condition if the court mandates the defendant to weekly drug testing
Please note that all defendants will be placed on a random testing schedule, except those supervised by the Specialized Supervision Teams. Defendants on a random testing schedule must test a minimum of once per week.
Select this condition if the court orders an evaluation drug test to determine whether a defendant is currently using an illicit substance(s)
If the evaluation test is positive, the defendant will be placed into weekly testing If negative, no further testing is required
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to test negative in the initial drug test or consecutively test negative two times and maintain these results by the first status hearing.
The defendant is removed from testing if their initial test is negative, or they submit two consecutive negative tests
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to undergo alcohol testing Please note that alcohol testing is considered a separate condition and is not included in the standard drug testing panel.
The initial test at arraignment or presentment does not include alcohol screening If alcohol testing is ordered as a condition of release, and the defendant has already provided an initial sample, they must submit another sample that includes alcohol testing, even if it is on the same day as their lock-up test.
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to test for all illegal drugs and alcohol
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example
III. Firearms
Select this condition to confirm whether the defendant received an official advisory from the court informing them of legal restrictions on possessing a firearm while the case is pending
Select this condition if the court prohibits the defendant from possessing a firearm while the case is pending
IV. Stay Away
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to stay away from a person and/or location This condition is typically ordered in cases involving victims or a place where a crime occurred
Please note that if an addendum is not provided, the stay away information must be entered in the Other Requirements section of the release order
VI. Initial Reporting Requirements (PSA)
Condition
Monthly by phone to verify court date
As directed by PSA
Times
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example F
Guidance
Specify the frequency with which the court orders the defendant to report to PSA.
Specify the method by which the court orders the defendant to report to PSA
Select this condition to indicate whether the court orders the defendant to notify PSA within 24 hours if there is a change in their address or if there are any alternative ways to contact them
Select this condition if the court allows PSA to modify the defendant’s reporting conditions based on compliance and risk Please note that both the frequency and method can be adjusted without needing a new order
Specify the time at which the court orders the defendant to report to PSA
Specify the method by which the court orders the defendant to report to their post-sentence supervision officer.
Specify the date by which the court orders the defendant to report to their post-sentence supervision officer
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example G
VIII. Reporting for Supervision Orientation
Within 1 Business Day
Within 2 Business Day
By
Date
Guidance
Specify the date by which the court orders the defendant to report to PSA for orientation Condition
Specify the timeframe within which the court orders the defendant to report to PSA for a Supervision Orientation
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example H
IX. PSA Mental Health
Screening/Possible Placement
Maintain Services
Specialized Supervision Team (SST) Placement
Please note that some judges may order the defendant directly into SST Condition Guidance
As directed by PSA
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to undergo a screening for mental health services
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to continue receiving mental health services. Although the 'maintain mental health services' condition can result in assignment to SST, there are instances when defendants who receive this condition are either not assigned to SST or are ineligible for assignment
Select this condition if the defendant has already been screened and it has been determined that they need mental health services and are eligible for assignment to the Specialized Supervision Team (SST) When this condition is ordered, the defendant is required to continue receiving mental health services
This condition is no longer utilized in this section.
X. Substance Use Assessment/Placement
Condition
Alcohol Substance Use
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example J
Guidance
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to undergo an assessment to determine their treatment needs Specify the type of assessment (i e , alcohol and/or substance use)
Indicate full-screen spot drug test in the Other Requirements section of the release order
XI. Urgent Care Clinic
Condition
Alcohol/Substance Use Disorder
Mental Health
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example K
Guidance
Select this condition if the court determines there is an immediate need for the defendant to report the Urgent Care Clinic to undergo an alcohol, substance use disorder, or mental health assessment. The clinic is located in the courthouse, Room 1230
XII. Address Verification/Live
Immediately Next Business Day
Contact PSA within 24 hours
Select this condition to specify the timeframe within which the court orders the defendant to begin the address verification process
Select this condition to specify if the court requires the defendant to notify PSA within 24 hours if there is a change in their address or if there are alternative ways to contact them.
Defendant Must Live At
Select this condition to specify whether the court orders the defendant to reside at a specific location.
XIII. Curfew
Specify the timeframe within which the court orders the defendant to remain at a designated location
Please note that this condition is not actively monitored unless electronic monitoring is also ordered. Modifications must be documented in the Other Requirements section
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to remain at a designated location daily
Modifications to the curfew must be documented in the Other Requirements section
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example M
Condition
XIV. Electronic Monitoring
Home Confinement
Location Monitoring
Orientation
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example N
Guidance
Home confinement serves as an alternative to incarceration, when appropriate, for defendants at high and very high risk for rearrest Defendants will only be granted permission to leave the residence for verified appointments
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to report for home confinement Orientation must also be selected
Please note that exceptions to the court-ordered home confinement should be noted in the Other Requirements section of the release order (i.e., work and/or school attendance)
Location monitoring tracks a defendant’s movements in the community
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to report for location monitoring
Indicate that the orientation time is the next business day at 10:00 am
Condition Guidance
Report to Room 4203 for assessment and consideration
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example O
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to be assessed for diversion or community services
XVI. Sanction-Based Treatment
Condition Guidance
Orientation
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example P
Select this condition if the court orders the defendant to report for Sanction-Based Treatment (SBT) orientation
Please note that orientations are conducted Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am -12 pm
Additionally, before placement in SBT, defendants must complete a substance use assessment.
Condition Guidance
Do Not Drive without a valid permit
Do Not Drive after consuming alcohol or any illegal or controlled substance, or any medication that causes impairment
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example Q
Select this condition if the court prohibits the defendant from driving without a valid permit.
Select this condition if the court prohibits the defendant from driving after consuming alcohol or any illegal or controlled substance, or medication that causes impairment
Condition
Other Requirements
XVIII. Other Requirements
Guidance
Select this condition if the court orders release conditions that are not listed on the form.
Pretrial Release Order Form | Example R
