Collaboration in South Dakota
NCSL members from nine states gathered in Rapid City, S.D., to learn more about local collaborative efforts to reduce justice system involvement for people struggling with substance use and mental illness. Learn more about the facilities they toured and words of wisdom from the local officials they met.
Front-End Justice: Deflection and Diversion
Many of the people who cycle through jails have a serious mental illness, along with drug- or alcohol-related needs that can complicate treatment. Learn what states are doing to increase treatment opportunities and alternatives to jail for defendants.
Related Info: The Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice
In the News
Dementia Training for First Responders
In a recent survey, 10 states were identified as having laws requiring training for law enforcement on dementia. Of the 10 states, six required training as part of missing persons programs. The other four states required broader training and two states set a specific number of hours.
Review of Failure to Appear Laws
The Prison Policy Initiative used NCSL’s Statutory Responses to Failure to Appear database to further evaluate state laws that provide the legal framework for what happens when a person fails to appear in court. The new article also reviews reasons people gave for missing court in a survey from Lake County, Ill., and impacts on individuals following a failure to appear.
Illinois First State to Eliminate Money Bail
The Judicial Council of California has released a final report on the state’s Pretrial Pilot Program funded through the Budget Act of 2019. Data suggests an overall positive impact with release rates increasing for both misdemeanors and felonies and rearrest rates decreasing for both misdemeanors and felonies. Rates for failure to appear were greatly improved by shortening case disposition times and implementing court reminder systems.
Related Information: NCSL Financial Conditions of Pretrial Release
The Cache