EVALUATION OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BAIL AGENCY - FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 15649
• Author(s): N JESSE; A HELLMAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 89 pages
• Grant Number(s): 4G-146-73A
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn; Allegheny Cty Court of Common Pleas
• Corporate Author: Vera Institute of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVALUATION OF PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROJECT, THE OBJECTIVES OF WHICH ARE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL CASE DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON NOMINAL AND EIGHT PERCENT BOND WHILE AWAITING TRIAL OF THEIR CASES.

Abstract

THIS PROJECT ALSO AIMS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BOND FORFEITURES BY KEEPING TRACK OF DEFENDANTS RELEASED THROUGH ITS FACILITIES AND TO INSURE THAT THE SETTING OF BAIL IS PERFORMED IN AN EQUITABLE AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER. THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWED TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES INVOLVE INTERVIEWS OF DEFENDANTS, VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN INTERVIEW, RECOMMENDATION AND COURT PRESENTATIONS, DEFENDANT CHECK-IN AND FOLLOW-UP, RECORD KEEPING AND FILING, AND FOLLOW-UP ON DEFENDANTS WHO FORFEIT BOND. CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO EVALUATION ACTIVITIES, FOLLOWED BY FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE. COMMENTS ARE MADE ON THE INITIAL BAIL SETTING DECISIONS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, CONCENTRATING ON THE BAIL AGENCY'S EFFECTIVENESS IN SECURING THE RELEASE OF DEFENDANTS ON NOMINAL BOND AT CITY COURT ARRAIGNMENTS, AND THE APPROPRIATENESS OF PRESENT BAIL DECISIONS. THE DISCUSSION THEN GOES ON TO BAIL REDUCTION ACTIVITY, BOND FORFEITURES IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, AND ACHIEVEMENT OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. DETAILED COMMENTS ARE THEN MADE ON PROGRAM PROCEDURES AND STRUCTURE AND THE APPROPRIATENESS OF PRESENT FUNDING AND FINANCIAL BENEFIT. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A CASE INFORMATION.