Skip to main content area

Pretrial Services Agency

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

## Search form

                        -   Home  
                        - About                           - Message from the Director
                          - Who We Are
                          - Statutory Authority
                          - Organizational Structure
                          - History and Role
                          - Agency Reports and Plans
                          - Budget and Performance
                          - Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA)
                        - Programs and Services                           - Court Support
                          - Defendant Supervision
                          - Treatment and Related Services
                          - Drug Court
                          - Drug Testing and Forensic Services
                        - Resources                           - Prospective Employees
                          - Internships
                          - Benefits and Programs                             - Employee Benefits
                            - Family-Friendly Programs
                            - Drug-Free Workplace
                            - Alternative Dispute Resolution
                            - Equal Employment Opportunity
                            - Pay at PSA
                          - PSA Facts and Figures
                          - Training and Career Development
                          - Glossary of Terms
                          - Library
                        - Operating Status
                        - Contact Us                           - Give Us Feedback
                          - Telephone Directory
                          - Location Directory
                          - Bi-Lingual Assistance

## You are here

HomeDefendant Support

# Frequently Asked Questions

1. **How do I contact PSA?**

Click here for PSA contact and location information.

**2. Where is PSA located?**

PSA's programs and services are available at several locations. Click here for PSA contact and location information.

**3. I just got arrested – what do I do now?**

You have been charged in a criminal case in DC Superior Court. The judge in the courtroom where you were seen has decided to release you until your next court appearance. You have made a promise that you will show up for all of your court appearances. To help you keep your promise and to assure community safety, the judge may have ordered you to follow certain conditions of release. Your conditions of release are found on your release order (the blue piece of paper you signed and received in the courtroom).

You must follow all of the conditions of release ordered by the judge. If you violate any one of those conditions, the judge could change your conditions, or revoke those conditions and incarcerate you until your case is resolved. You also could face a new criminal charge for contempt of court. You must show up for all of your court dates. If you do not report for any court date, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest and you could receive a new charge simply for failing to appear. If you do miss a court appearance, contact your lawyer and call PSA’s Release Services Unit (202-585-7077) as soon as possible in order to resolve the bench warrant.

**4. What if I miss a court date?**

If you do not report for any court date, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest and you could receive a new charge simply for failing to appear. If you do miss a court appearance, contact your lawyer and call PSA’s Release Services Unit (202-585-7077) as soon as possible in order to resolve the bench warrant.

**5. What services does PSA provide defendants?**

PSA is responsible for monitoring certain conditions of release, such as drug testing, location monitoring, curfew, and other conditions, imposed by the judge. Many defendants will be assigned to a Pretrial Services Officer (known as your PSO or your case manager) who is responsible for notifying the court if these conditions are, or are not, being followed.

While your case is pending, PSA can help you in a variety of ways. PSA can help you voluntarily surrender on an outstanding bench warrant, obtain drug treatment, mental health treatment, or other social services (such as temporary shelter, government-issued identification, job listings, GED, etc.). If you feel you need any of these services, talk to your PSA case manager or contact the PSA Social Services Assessment Center (SSAC). Be sure to stay in touch with your case manager, especially if you change your address or phone number. Click here for PSA contact and location information.

**6. How will my case be processed?**

Click here for an overview of how an adult who has been arrested is processed through the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

**7. What is GPS monitoring?**

Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring is a system of satellites and computers that can determine the location of a receiver device on earth. The GPS ankle bracelet records the defendant’s movements 24 hours a day.  It must be charged two hours every day in order to be effective.  Location information from the GPS monitoring system allows PSA to determine if the defendant has been at or near a court-ordered stay-away location, or whether he/she has remained in a particular court-ordered area of the city. 

**8. What happens if I tamper with, remove or fail to charge my GPS ankle bracelet?**

Nothing physically prevents a defendant from tampering with or removing a GPS ankle bracelet.  However, the GPS ankle bracelet is visually inspected during office visits for any evidence of tampering or damage. Moreover, PSA receives notification from the vendor that the device has been tampered with.  PSA investigates all suspected tampers and reports such activity to the Court after confirmation.

Also, the GPS Anti‐Tampering Emergency Act of 2008 makes it a criminal offense for anyone to remove, tamper with, or alter any electronic monitoring (EM) device or equipment.  This law gives police officers the authority immediately to arrest persons for whom they have probable cause to believe are attempting to circumvent their EM requirements.

Your ankle bracelet must be charged 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.

**9.****What is a PDID number?**

A PDID number is the identification number assigned to a person by the Metropolitan Police Department at the time of his/her arrest.

**10.****Does PSA provide childcare?**

If you have a court appearance or are reporting for drug testing at the Drug Testing and Compliance Unit located at 500 Indiana Avenue, free childcare is available at the D.C. Superior Court. Childcare registration forms can be completed online and brought to the Center on the day of or the day before your appointment. Click here for details. 

Childcare is NOTavailable at the PSA offices located at 633 Indiana Avenue or 601 Indiana Avenue or at U.S. District Court located at 333 Constitution Avenue. Do not bring children with you for appointments at these locations.

                  - Defendant Support                     - Give Us Feedback
                    - DOs and DON'Ts
                    - Defendant FAQs
                    - Program Schedules and Hours of Operation

                  - Current Employees                     - Tools and Resources
                    - Quick Links
                    - Employee FAQs
                    - Whistleblower Protection
                    - Operating Status

                  - PSA Programs and Services                     - Drug Testing and Forensic Services
                    - Court Services
                    - Supervision
                    - Drug Court
                    - Diversion
                    - Substance Abuse Treatment
                    - Mental Health Services
                    - Social Services
                    - Assessments and Referrals

                  - About This Site                     - 508 Compliance
                    - Accessibility
                    - Privacy Policy
                    - FOIA Act
                    - No FEAR Act
                    - USA.gov

                  - Additional Resources                     - CSOSA
                    - Doing Business with PSA
                    - Subject Index
                    - Location Directory
                    - En Español