Pretrial release programs supervise defendants who have been released from jail while awaiting disposition of their criminal charges. Twenty-nine programs responded to our survey requesting information regarding their 2018 operations. No programs reported receiving state general revenue, while 28 programs reported receiving county funds and 5 programs reported receiving grants.
Ten pretrial release programs were able to provide a detailed breakdown of defendants' criminal history information, which varied among programs. For these programs, the percentage of defendants with violent felony criminal histories ranged from 2% to 41%. Programs in 28 counties reported that judges may order defendants to post bond in addition to being supervised by the programs. Programs also reported varying numbers of defendants that failed to appear in court or were arrested while in the programs.
Pretrial release programs have generally complied with statutory requirements, as 28 programs reported that they maintained the required weekly register, and 28 programs provided OPPAGA with an annual report. In 2018, the Legislature added new required elements to the annual report. Some reporting requirements do not apply to programs that do not make release recommendations and some programs did not report criminal history information due to state and federal restrictions.

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.