Santa Barbara Court to Expand Pretrial Pilot Program

Source: Santa Barbara County Probation

On Friday, August 12, 2019, the Judicial Council of California awarded approximately 1.6 million to Santa Barbara County Superior Court to operate a Pretrial Pilot Program for the period of August 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. 

In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, this award will expand the county’s current Pretrial Program, which includes conducting assessments and monitoring those released into the community while pending court proceedings. The project aims to increase the safe and efficient release of arrestees before trial, use of the least restrictive monitoring practices possible while protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances, and validate and expand the use of risk assessment tools.

Superior Court Presiding Judge Michael Carrozzo commented, “The Santa Barbara Superior Court is pleased to have been selected to receive this award.  This will greatly enhance our ability to assess and identify those individuals that may be appropriate for pretrial release while continuing to preserve the safety of our community. We are also pleased to partner with the Probation Department as they are not only experienced in the implementation of evidence-based practices and interventions, but are uniquely positioned to administer both the initial assessment and provide community supervision”.

The County Superior Courts awarded by the Judicial Council of California are Alameda, Calaveras, Kings, Los Angeles, Modoc, Napa, Nevada-Sierra, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yuba.

For more information about the County of Santa Barbara Probation Department, go to www.sbprobation.org.