Our goals are to:

• Provide accurate and timely information to the Courts to enable early and informed decisions on the Pretrial custody disposition of defendants
• Effect qualified jail releases, without jeopardizing public safety, to minimize jail custody days, and to provide suitable release opportunities for offenders
• Supervise all Pretrial defendants released with specified conditions to achieve a successful outcome
• Collaborate with other law and criminal justice agencies to develop and utilize safe and cost-effective alternatives to jail
• Facilitate Probable Cause hearings to meet statutory requirements
• Facilitate the duty judge function by coordinating the schedules of judges for on-call availability during non-court hours.

The Office of Pretrial Services was established in Santa Clara County in 1971.  Pretrial Services provides information to the Courts on defendants booked into the County Jail on new felony offenses.  The judges use this information to determine suitability for Own Recognizance (ORP) and Supervised Own Recognizance (SORP) releases, as well as to establish bail, and determine probable cause to detain.  Own Recognizance releases are those that are granted upon the defendant's promise to appear at scheduled court appearances and to abide by any conditions set by the court, instead of requiring the posting of cash bail or other financial bond.  Own Recognizance releases and Supervised Own Recognizance releases are granted at the discretion of the Judiciary.