Pretrial Services in a voluntary program to assist individuals who have been cited for a criminal offense to address underlying mental health and/or substance use concerns that contributed to their charge(s). Participants may be referred by the court through a Pretrial Services Court Order, or they may self-refer to the program.
Participants are asked to complete a needs screening to determine mental health and substance use referral needs, and they are invited to discuss other circumstances that may have contributed to their charge(s). Pretrial Service Coordinators connect participants to resources and support to help them meet any conditions of release imposed by the courts, attend all scheduled court hearings, and avoid further involvement with the criminal legal system. Connection to support may include, but is not limited to:
- Connecting individuals to clinical assessments by a substance use or mental health treatment provider
- Connecting individuals with community-based treatment, rehabilitative services, and/or recovery supports
- Connecting individuals with economic services, supportive housing agencies, legal services, employment supports and services, or educational support services.
Refusal to participate or failure to participate after initial engagement cannot result in any criminal legal liability, even if the individual has been referred via a Pretrial Services Court Order.
Pretrial Services Coordinators share participant engagement status with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the relevant court. Coordinators may only share:
- Whether a needs screening was completed
- Whether further assessment is indicated
- Whether an individual participated in an assessment
- Confirmation of engagement in treatment
- Whether further engagement with Pretrial Services is recommended
No other information may be shared.
To reach the Windham County Pretrial Services Coordinator, please call (802) 257-0361 x245 or email katie.kohnfelder@interactionvt.org.
PreTrial Monitoring Information
For more information, call (802) 257-0361 x245