This division of the court utilizes a validated risk assessment called the Summit County Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (SCPRAI). The instrument is administered to those booked into the Summit County Jail and charged with a felony.
Pretrial performs two primary functions.
- Make bond recommendations to the Judges in the Court of Common Pleas, as well as Akron Municipal Court, for any individual making an initial or attorney appearance on a Felony Charge. Bond recommendations are made after the offenders are interviewed and specific information, such as criminal record, home address, and employment, are investigated and verified.
- Help alleviate jail overcrowding. This is accomplished through bond recommendations and supervision which mitigates the likelihood of a defendant’s re-arrest while released on bond.
Pretrial Services may be contacted at 330-643-2245.
In order to mitigate failure to appear for court and/or re-arrest pending trial, supervision may be assigned based on the defendant’s level of risk determined by SCPRAI. There are three levels of supervision Minimum, Medium, and Maximum. Supervision of those pending trial may include random drug/alcohol testing, reporting, and referrals to appropriate community agencies. These referrals are intended to initiate rehabilitative efforts.
In the event a defendant is placed on supervision as a Condition of Release, they are to report to Oriana House, Inc., Pretrial Supervision at 750 West Market Street, Akron, Ohio.
Probation Assessments
The establishment of the Probation Assessment Unit was part of a larger strategic initiative of implementing evidence-based practices for community control. The Summit County Adult Probation Department utilizes the validated Ohio Risk Assessment System Instrument. This instrument is administered in order to identify the risks and needs of the probationer when they are placed on community control. The instrument serves as the foundation for the case plan, which will appropriately target resources. “Research has demonstrated that evidence-based interventions directed towards offenders with a moderate to high risk of committing new crimes will result in better outcomes for both offenders and the community”1
1 Putting Public Safety First: 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentry. PEW Center. No. 7. December 2008.