What is a pretrial release?

Pretrial release refers to the release of a defendant from jail or other detention before the trial or other legal proceeding has taken place. It is usually granted to defendants who are not considered a danger to society or a flight risk, and who have a low likelihood of committing additional crimes while awaiting trial.

The terms of pretrial release can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the charges, but often include requirements such as regular check-ins with a pretrial services officer, electronic monitoring, travel restrictions, or drug testing. Defendants may also be required to provide collateral like property or cash to ensure their appearance at trial.

Pretrial release is designed to ensure that defendants are not unnecessarily detained before conviction and are able to continue with their lives while awaiting trial. It also helps to reduce the number of people being held in pretrial detention, which can be costly for taxpayers and lead to overcrowding in jails.