Pretrial is the time period after an individual has been arrested but before resolution of pending criminal charges.  During this time period, a Pretrial Services Officer will gather information about the defendant through interviews and records checks. The Pretrial Services Officer reports the information to the judge, so the judge can decide whether the defendant can be released or should be detained.

At a detention hearing, the judge will decide whether or not to grant pretrial release. If the defendant is granted pretrial release, the Pretrial Services Officer will supervise the defendant to ensure they are not a danger to another person or the community, the conditions of their release are met, and they attend all required Court hearings.

Pretrial supervision ends if the defendant is found not guilty at trial or the charges are dismissed. If the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, the Pretrial Services Officer will typically continue supervising the defendant until their sentence begins. Pretrial supervision continues during the presentence investigation.