Pre-trial Unit

The Pre-trial Unit is responsible for pre-trial services including bail studies, monitoring of court-ordered pre-trial conditions, completing court-ordered and supplemental assessments/reports, and completing probation intakes after sentencing. During the probation intake process, probation expectations are reviewed, the offender's supervision level is assigned, and resources are provided to the offender based on their court-ordered conditions.

Resources provided to offenders by the Pre-trial Unit may include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol / drug education
  • Anger management programming
  • Chemical dependency treatment
  • Cognitive restructuring programming
  • Community work service / adult work crew
  • Domestic abuse programming
  • Driver improvement classes
  • Impact / awareness panels
  • Individual counseling
  • Mental health services
  • Parenting classes
  • Sex offender treatment

Assessments / Reports

Probation officers complete a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) in order to provide evidence based sentencing recommendations to the Court.

The Level of Service-Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), a validated risk/needs assessment, is completed with defendants pleading guilty to a felony or gross misdemeanor level offense and/or any level of assault/domestic assault. The risk/needs assessment may be completed with defendants pleading guilty to other offenses at officer discretion. The LS/CMI assists officers in determining the defendant's risk to re-offend and in assigning an appropriate supervision level once placed on probation. The LS/CMI also helps officers match defendants with appropriate services/resources based on their criminogenic needs, and assists the Adult Supervision Unit officers in their supervision and case planning post-sentence.

The Domestic Violence Inventory-Short Form (DVI-SF), a risk/needs assessment specifically designed for domestic violence, is a supplemental assessment used as part of a Domestic Abuse Assessment. The DVI-SF evaluates violence potential, assesses control issues, quantifies substance abuse and measures stress coping abilities.

The Compulsive Gambling Assessment (SOGS), is a validated risk/needs assessment used to identify defendants who may have a gambling problem and need further assessment. The SOGS is used as part of a PSI on qualifying offenses.

The Research Institute on Addictions Self Inventory (RIASI) is a validated risk/needs assessment used to identify defendants who may have a substance abuse problem and need further assessment. The RIASI is used as part of all same day chemical use assessments.

Bail Studies

The Pre-trial Unit completes bail studies per Minnesota Statute 629.74, and on all defendants charged with felony level offenses and any person offenses. The bail study provides the Court with information about the defendant and his/her legal history to assist them in making an informed decision regarding custody and or release conditions. In domestic violence cases the department attaches the lethality assessment completed by law enforcement as a supplement to the bail evaluation.

Pre-Trial Conditional Release Supervision

Defendants court ordered to the Conditional Release Program are required to have contact with a probation officer a minimum of three times a month. In addition to the conditions ordered by the Court, defendants must report to the department as scheduled, are subject to contacts at their home, school and/or employment, notify probation officer within 24 hours of any change of address, telephone, or employment and obey all Federal, State, Local laws, and Ordinances.