What is the Pretrial Justice System?

Pretrial Phase in Thurston County - A Pretrial Roadmap

1.Arrest	2.First Appearance	3.Release	4.Case Resolution
In some cases, law enforcement officers have discretion to not make an arrest and may instead choose to cite and release, or divert to behavioral health services, crisis services, or community resources. If arrested, people are booked into jail	Following arrest, a judicial officer will use information from the prosecution, defense, and pretrial services to order conditions of release. This could include money bond and/ or other conditions.	If released while awaiting trial, a judicial officer may set conditions to assure community safety and court appearance. Pretrial Services may supervise compliance with release conditions.	Most cases do not go to trial; they are resolved through plea agreements, diversion, or dismissal of charges. Prior to this, prosecutors and defense counsel work to ensure charges are justified and the process is fair.
		3.Jail
		A person remains in jail if unable to pay their financial release condition (money bond). The US Supreme Court says pretrial detention should be the exception, not the norm.