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Pretrial Services Agency

DistrictColumbia
A Federal agency dedicated to promoting pretrial justice and enhancing community safety in the District of Columbia

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HomeDefendant Support

# DOs and DON'Ts for Defendants

**DOs and DON’Ts – Appearing in CourtDOs and DON’Ts – Reporting to PSADOs and DON’Ts – Reporting for Drug TestingDOs and DON’Ts – HISP Supervision**

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**DOs and DON’Ts – Appearing in Court**

**DO**dress appropriately.**DO** speak clearly and use courteous language.**DO**arrive on time.**DO**turn off all electronics.**DO**ask questions and clarify with your attorney.**DO**make childcare arrangements in advance if needed. Free childcare is available at the court to those who have official business with the court. Childcare registration forms can be completed online and brought to the Center on the day of or the day before your appearance in court. Click here for details.**DO NOT** bring children to the courtroom. Free childcare is available at the court to those who have official business with the court. Childcare registration forms can be completed online and brought to the Center on the day of or the day before your appearance in court. Click here for details.**DO NOT** be late.**DO NOT** use your cell phone in the courtroom.**DO NOT** bring weapons or illicit substances.

**DOs and DON’Ts – Reporting to PSA**

**DO**dress appropriately.**DO** arrive on time for your appointments.**DO** bring an official government-issued identification, such a driver's license or passport.**DO** check in with the receptionist.**DO** allow yourself extra time for conversation with staff and making referrals.**DO** ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand.**DO NOT** bring children.**DO NOT** bring friends or family members, unless you have a special need and have obtained prior approval from PSA.**DO NOT** use your cell phone in the waiting area.**DO NOT** behave in a disruptive, offensive or inappropriate manner – you will be required to leave.**DO NOT** use profanity or any offensive or inappropriate language - you will be required to leave.**DO NOT** bring weapons or illicit substances.

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**DOs and DON’Ts – Reporting for Drug Testing**

**DO**dress appropriately.**DO**bring an official government-issued identification, such as a diver's license or passport.**DO** wait in line until you are called to be processed.**DO**remove all extra garments of clothing. This means extra shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, pullovers, windbreakers and sunglasses, etc.**DO**put your cell phone on vibrate or silent mode.**DO**ask any friends or family members with you to wait for you in the waiting area near C-301 where seating is available.**DO**refrain from any attempt to bribe, tamper, or obstruct the collection process. it is a federal offense to bribe a federal employee, and a charge of bribery is grounds for prosecution. Obstructing the collection process could result in a request for a revocation hearing.**DO**keep a low, conversational tone of voice when talking.**DO NOT** bring friends and/or family members with you to check-in. They can wait for you in the waiting area near C-301 where seating is available.**DO NOT** bring children to the DTCU unless they can stay with another adult in the waiting area. If you need childcare, free childcare is available at the court to those who have official business with the court. Childcare registration forms can be completed online and brought to the Center on the day of or the day before your appearance in court. Click here for details.**DO NOT** consume more than 16 ounces of fluids at least 2 hours prior to drug testing. This may indicate water-loading violation.**DO NOT** eat or drink during the check-in or sample submission process.**DO NOT** use your cell phone or wear your headphones while checking in.**DO NOT** behave in a disruptive or disrespectful manner – you will be required to leave. Your drug testing could be suspended and a violation report may be forwarded to your calendar judge regarding your non-compliant behavior.**DO NOT** use profanity or any offensive or inappropriate language or behavior - you will be required to leave. Your drug testing could be suspended and a violation report may be forwarded to your calendar judge  regarding your non-compliant behavior.**DO NOT** attempt to bribe, tamper, or obstruct the collection process.  it is a federal offense to bribe a federal employee, and a charge of bribery is grounds for prosecution.  Tampering or obstructing the collection process could result in a request for revocation hearing.**DO NOT**talk in a loud tone during the check-in or sample submission process.**DO NOT** bring weapons or illicit substances.

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**DOs and DON’Ts – HISP Supervision**

**DO**stay inside your home between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.**DO**stay at home when the EM vendor arrives to install the equipment.**DO**restrain all pets while the EM vendor is present.**DO**place the unit on a flat surface, 3 feet off the floor, away from other electrical appliances.**DO**keep the unit in place unless instructed to do otherwise by your case manager .**DO**charge your GPS device for a minimum of two hours every day, preferably at the same time each day. Failure to keep your device charged could result in being charged with tampering with the device.**DO**wear your ankle bracelet at all times. Any attempts to remove or tamper with the bracelet could result in additional criminal charges.**DO**return the electronic monitoring equipment when requested. Failure to do this could result in you paying for the device or being charged with theft. Your case manager will let you know when you must return the equipment.**DO**get advance approval from your case manager for any proposed changes in curfew.**DO**provide written documentation justifying your absence if you have an emergency situation.**DO**avoid using any illegal drugs.**DO**provide PSA with valid documentation of any prescribed medication.**DO**report to your PSO in person every week. The day you report and the day you are scheduled to drug test will be the same day. Each time you fail to abide by the program requirements, a sanction could be imposed.**DO NOT** leave your home during curfew hours. This includes routine tasks like walking the dog, smoking, taking out the trash, etc.**DO NOT**intentionally alter, interfere with or mask the operation of the equipment. Any attempts to remove or tamper with the bracelet may result in additional criminal charges.**DO NOT** damage or lose the equipment. You may be required to pay replacement costs.**DO NOT** move the unit unless instructed by your case manager**DO NOT** use, handle or have physical contact with any illegal drugs.**DO NOT** enter or remain in environments that contain smoke vapors from illegal drugs.**DO NOT** ingest foods that contain poppy seeds.**DO NOT**ingest hemp products or by-products**DO NOT**consume more than 16 ounces of fluids at least 2 hours prior to drug testing. This may indicate water-loading, which is a violation.

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