New Pretrial Release Toolkit
Most criminal defendants are eligible for pretrial release, yet most people held in local jails are awaiting trial. NCSL just released a new comprehensive toolkit on pretrial release with resources on state law, legislation and the latest reports and resources. You can search current law on various pretrial topics, check out the new FAQ and glossary pages or keep up with the latest trends through the legislation database.
Victims’ Pretrial Release Rights and Protections
Laws in every state provide rights and services for victims. Most states have laws that specifically address victim interests related to pretrial release, including requiring consideration of victim safety when determining release, the right to participate or attend and the right to notice of various proceedings. Get a better picture of the landscape across the states with NCSL’s new statutory resource.
Incentivizing Success in Probation Supervision
With close to three million people under probation supervision at the end of 2021, states are exploring opportunities to encourage successful completion of supervision. This snapshot looks at specific criteria for effective probation incentives and examples of state policies.
Reentry Legislation Summary 2023
Reentry legislation in 2023 focused on criminal record clearing and expungement, employment eligibility and readiness, fines and fees, and notice to victims. State lawmakers also passed appropriations bills providing funding to reentry programs and directing work groups to study inmate work release programs.
In the News: Implementing the Pretrial Fairness Act
This blog takes a deep dive into the first four months of implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act in Illinois. Loyola University Chicago’s Center for Criminal Justice is conducting a long-term evaluation of the implementation and impact of Illinois’ PFA, objectively assessing the degree to which the elimination of cash bail corresponds to the many predictions practitioners, policy makers, and advocates have made.
APPR: 2023 Pretrial Research Highlights
In 2023, government agencies, academic researchers and nonprofit organizations produced a tremendous volume of pretrial research. Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research has highlights of this work on its webpage, including information on pretrial assessment, detention, court appearance, pretrial services and supervision and pretrial release and crime rates.
NCSL’s Criminal and Civil Justice Legislation Databases
Use NCSL’s enacted legislation databases to look back at what states accomplished on various topics in 2023. Or, keep track of early-2024 legislation using one of our two databases that track all introduced legislation.