2014 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 12 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 12-13 - Bail and Recognizance
Section 12-13-24.1 - Pre-trial services unit.

§ 12-13-24.1 Pre-trial services unit. – (a) Creation of unit. There is created within the district court a pre-trial services unit to provide pre-arraignment and post-arraignment services to defendants. These services shall include, but not be limited to: bail information and screening, monitoring defendants released on bail including substance abuse treatment referrals and testing, referrals to the home confinement program, employment referrals, and any other referrals that may be necessary to carry out the intent of this section.

(b) Bail evaluation. Whenever any person shall be taken into custody by any peace officer for the purpose of bringing that person before a court for arraignment or any other proceeding which may result in that person being detained pending a final adjudication of the charge, a judicial officer may cause to be conducted a pre-arraignment or post-arraignment screening of the accused and shall obtain any information, records and documents that may be useful to the judicial officer in determining the form and type of recognizance and conditions placed on the defendant.

(c) Delivery of report. The report of the pre-arraignment or post-arraignment screening shall be immediately delivered to the judicial officer before whom the accused shall be brought for the purpose of determining the form and conditions of recognizance and shall contain the information set forth in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Form of report. The report of the pre-arraignment or post-arraignment screening shall contain the following information regarding the accused:

(1) Name and address;

(2) Date of birth;

(3) Marital status;

(4) Names and addresses of dependents;

(5) Social security number;

(6) Present employment including place of employment, position held and length of employment;

(7) Whether or not the accused is under the care of a licensed physician or on any medication prescribed by a licensed physician;

(8) Education;

(9) Prior criminal record;

(10) Prior court appearances;

(11) Ties to the community; and

(12) Any other information that may be required to make a determination on the amount and conditions of recognizance or bail.

(e) Confidentiality of communications. The accused shall be advised that he or she has the right to remain silent and may voluntarily decline to respond to any or all questions that may be put by representatives of the pre-trial services unit. Communications between the accused and representatives of the pre-trial services unit shall be considered confidential pursuant to § 12-13-24.

History of Section.
(P.L. 2001, ch. 73, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 184, § 1.)