U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

ST LOUIS (MO) - REVIEW OF PRETRIAL RELEASE PROCEDURES CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

NCJ Number
39856
Author(s)
B D BEAUDIN; J A CARVER; S JIGGER; J CROMWELL
Date Published
1974
Length
75 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS, DATED AUGUST 1974, OF ST. LOUIS (MO) BAIL PROBLEMS SUGGESTING ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS AS POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS.
Abstract
THE CONSULTANT TEAM FOUND THE EXISTING ST. LOUIS BAIL SYSTEM GENERALLY INEQUITABLE AND INEFFICIENT BECAUSE OF AN ABSENCE OF A COORDINATED SYSTEM FOR KEEPING TRACK OF PRETRIAL DEFENDANT RELEASES AND AN ABSENCE OF METHODS TO MONITOR THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SERVICES OF PROFESSIONSL SURETIES. SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE THE EXTENSION OF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEFENDANTS TO BE RELEASED ON 10 PERCENT CASH BOND, IMPLEMENTATION OF A CITATION RELEASE PROGRAM FOR ALL STATE MISDEMEANOR ARRESTEES, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SINGLE FACILITY TO ACCOMODATE BOTH PROCESSING AND PRETRIAL DETENTION OF ARRESTEES. ALSO SUGGESTED WERE PROVISIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL PRETRIAL RELEASE CONSIDERATION ON A 24-HOUR A DAY BASIS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO PROSECUTION IN APPROPRIATE CASES. WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMS ARE GIVEN. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE ST. LOUIS BOND SCHEDULE, SAMPLE BAIL STATUTES OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS, CRITERIA FOR PRETRIAL RELEASE, AND AN INTERVIEW FORM USED IN A JAIL SURVEY....TWH