PRE-TRIAL SUPERVISION PROGRAM

The Pre-Trial Supervision format as a law enforcement tool has been around for approximately the last 15-20 years. At base it offers a cost effective, workable, means of supervising and holding accountable individuals who fit the criteria established by the program in lieu of placing these same individuals in prison.

PTS provides 24 hour, 7 day a week, 365 days per year supervision on it’s proscribed population. Initially, these programs were established for adults as a means of reducing the jail population of those awaiting trial. Program participants, or "clients" are fully aware that any significant violation may result in an immediate placement in jail.

Most recently, we have been witness to a number of these programs utilizing electronic monitoring bands and automated computer generated telephone calls in addition to human-centered surveillance. The program before you use both human-centered and electronic monitoring means of contact.

Today, the PTS model has broadened its sphere of influence to include juvenile offenders among its clientele. In an era where one out of ten criminal acts is committed by a person under the age of eighteen coupled with the federal mandate requiring the removal of juveniles from adult jail facilities, it stands that these numbers and requirements necessitate the employment of alternative means of handling the ever increasing numbers of juvenile offenders.

On the following pages you will find a series of short sections relative to your responsibilities under supervision. This handbook should serve only as a guide. Your specific case and the specific needs of supervision will lie with your PTS Officer.

Again, please review this document as any failure to comply with the conditions of the program may result in a revocation of your terms of release, and in the extreme case, your placement in detention.

Keep in mind that your success or failure in this program is largely dictated by the choices you will make.

  • The PTS System Objectives

The Pre-Trial Supervision program has at base, four primary objectives:

1. Stabilizing your behavior
2. Eliminating criminal acts while under supervision
3. Constructing a detailed assessment of your need for services and intervention
4. Submitting a detailed report to the court as to your behavior under supervision

  • How Compliance is Gauged

During your period of supervision you will be required to:

1. Maintain a drug-free lifestyle: This will be measured by:
a. Urinalysis
b. Breath Analyzer
c. Random vehicle/residence/personal searches

Testing will be done in a random manner. Any positive test will result in immediate disciplinary action. Missing a UA will construed to be a positive test.**Tampering with urine sample will result in an immediate arrest**
2. Meet face to face with your PTS Officer at random times throughout the week with at least one of these contacts in the Youth Court Office.
3. Accept random telephone contact from your PTS Officer. Calls will come at any time of day or night. You must be available for these calls.
4. Participate in the electronic monitoring phase of the program. Clients are connected to an electronic monitoring device which tracks and records their movement. Clients are advised that there is zero tolerance in terms of unauthorized extension of "time frames" regarding electronic monitoring.
5. Develop and implement an academic program (see "Academics" under Program Requirements)
6. If you are currently not working, the program mandates that you look for employment which will not conflict with your educational pursuits.

  • Successful Program Termination

Successful termination from the program will be contingent upon:

1. Meeting the program's behavioral expectations
2. Completion of program without further criminal citation (s)
3. A disposition handed down in court at the time of final appearance or a court-ordered designation of program successful termination at any period before trial or further proceedings

For Further Information, Contact:

Murray Pierce, Director
Missoula Youth Court
Community Supervision Programs
311 Woody Street
Missoula, Montana 59802
(406) 523-4735

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