A needs assessment is conducted and each defendant is designated with an appropriate level of supervision. If a defendant violates any of the court-ordered release conditions, PTS provides notice to the judge and, when appropriate, the defendant can be returned to custody. Investigation Those defendants who are held on bond at their initial appearance will be afforded a second, more thorough evaluation of their release eligibility. If new information or changed circumstances warrant a reconsideration of a defendant's release conditions, PTS will prepare a written report for the court with a new recommendation regarding release conditions. Attempts are also made to contact defendants who fail to appear for a scheduled court date in order to arrange for their surrender on the warrant.
Reports are also prepared for all defendants at their initial appearance on bench warrants.
The student intern program is designed to give participants a relevant and comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice process and to supplement the student's academic curriculum. The program involves working in the Pretrial Services Intake office that is located in the Pima County Jail complex. The students are involved in interviewing newly-arrested defendants, completing background investigations, submitting written reports and recommendations regarding release conditions to the court. Some students monitor defendants' appearance in court and conduct outreach activities for defendants who have failed to appear for court. A person's first court hearing is typically held within 24 hours after arrest.