By: Daniela Imig, Project Manager & Pretrial Implementation Specialist, equivant Supervision + Pretrial
Simply put, pretrial is the period between arrest and case disposition. During this window, courts determine whether a person is released (usually with conditions) or detained while balancing two core objectives: public safety and court appearance. While the concept may sound straightforward, real-world execution is complex. It requires policy alignment, trained staff, and reliable technology that supports consistent, transparent, and equitable decisions (APPR & CEPP, 2021; Redcross & Henderson, 2019).
Why Pretrial Matters
Risk-informed decisions: When conditions are aligned to risk instead of financial resources, jurisdictions reduce wealth-based detention and improve consistency (APPR & CEPP, 2021). Courts that modernize pretrial practices often increase release rates without negatively affecting appearance or public safety, particularly when reforms are implemented with fidelity (Redcross & Henderson, 2019).
Human impact: Even short periods of detention can disrupt employment, housing, transportation, and caregiving arrangements. Pretrial detention is also associated with higher conviction rates (driven in part by plea pressure) and decreased formal employment after case resolution (Dobbie et al., 2018; NYC CJA, 2022).
Efficiency and cost: Matching detention to actual risk reduces unnecessary jail days and warrant activity, freeing resources for higher-risk cases and frontline priorities (Vera Institute of Justice, 2019; Crime & Justice Institute, 2015).
Court appearance: Many missed court dates stem from logistical barriers or plain forgetfulness, not intentional flight (Fishbane et al., 2020). Simple solutions, such as automated court reminders, consistently improve appearance rates.
Pretrial is one of the most consequential, yet least understood, stages of the justice process. When jurisdictions ground decisions in evidence, invest in trained staff, and use technology that promotes transparency and consistency, they create safer communities and fairer outcomes. Modern pretrial systems don’t weaken accountability; they strengthen it by aligning resources where they matter most, reducing unnecessary detention, and supporting people to successfully navigate their court obligations.
At its core, effective pretrial practice is about balance: honoring public safety, protecting individual rights, and ensuring the system functions as intended. As more jurisdictions adopt data-driven and least-restrictive approaches, the path toward a more equitable and efficient justice system becomes clearer. Pretrial isn’t about predicting destiny; it’s an opportunity to get things right from the very beginning. Our pretrial solutions, which include court date reminders, help bring efficiencies to the pretrial process. For more information, please contact us.
