Pre-Trial Release

The Pre-Trial Release Program operates within the Montgomery County Community Corrections Department as a conditional release program which began in May of 2003.  Recognition existed among stakeholder agencies and departments of the need to safely supervise a number of defendants in the community, pending adjudication of their cases. The Pre-Trial Release Program is tasked with the responsibility of surveying and evaluating detainees who are unable to make bond and recommend to Judicial Officials the release of certain individuals on Pre-Trial Release pending final disposition of the charges against them.  Information provided to the Courts must be timely and accurate. In discharging these responsibilities, the protection of the community is the foremost consideration in the effort to reduce the jail population, while considering the possibility that Pre-Trial Release participants may potentially engage in further criminal activity. 

A validated pre-trial risk assessment is used to assist the pre-trial officer in determining the manner and level of supervision to be utilized.

The objectives of the Pre-Trial Release Program are:

• To safely help prevent unnecessary retention of accused non-violent defendants with low bonds in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.
• To thoroughly screen and recommend defendants for release who appear to pose no threat or harm to the community. 
• To maintain contact with Pre-Trial Release Program participants to ensure compliance with requirements of the Court and referrals for Treatment/Assistance.
• To report violations or noncompliance immediately to the Court. 
• To maintain accurate statistical data.

County Probation

County Probation provides the District Court Judges with the option of placing offenders who have committed a misdemeanor on supervised county probation. This option assists the judges in monitoring offenders for a period of time while the offenders pay supervision fees, fines, court costs, restitution to victims and complete court ordered programs.

Jail and Prison Diversion

The Montgomery County Community and Corrections Department operates a Jail and Prison Diversion program which provides primarily felony supervision services to the Montgomery County Circuit Court system. The Jail and Prison Diversion Program provides for diversion at the time of sentencing and prison diversion (release) for those eligible inmates serving prison sentences imposed by the Circuit Court.

Institutional Diversion

A state inmate incarcerated in a state facility may be approved by the Department of Corrections for participation in a community punishment and corrections program and be assigned to a program in the county from which the inmate was sentenced if a community punishment and corrections program under this article has been established in that county and if the sentencing judge of the county authorizes the inmate to participate in the program. An inmate may be assigned to a community punishment and corrections program in another county if the presiding judge of the other county and the sentencing judge agree to the assignment and if the county has agreed in the contract to accept inmates originally sentenced in other counties. In the event the sentencing judge is unavailable due to death, retirement, or any other reason, the presiding judge from the sentencing circuit shall act in the sentencing judge’s stead. An inmate assigned to a community punishment and corrections program pursuant to this article shall not be eligible for parole consideration.

Drug Court

This program allows nonviolent offenders who have been charged with drug possession and/or drug related crimes an opportunity to receive quality and individualized drug intervention/treatment for chemical dependency or addiction problems. A “Team Case Management” approach is utilized and the Drug Court Judges, Community Corrections Drug Court Coordinator, assigned Deputy District Attorney, Contract Defense Attorney, Treatment Liaison(s), representatives from the Veterans Administration, and  Executive Director of Community Corrections participate in this Model. Participation in Drug Court is strictly voluntary and requires the participant to enter a guilty plea. The participant meets frequently with the Community Corrections Drug Court Coordinator and reports to the Court on a regularly prescribed schedule for the purpose of close monitoring and supervision. Frequent random  drug testing is a component of the program and each participant must complete a prescribed period of supervised community service while in the program. The participant will receive assistance in education, employment and family matters. The participant’s case will be nolle prossed upon satisfactory completion of all program requirements.