IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR POLK COUNTY, POLK

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2-12.0

PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to implement additional measures to prevent serious prisoner overcrowding in the Polk County Jail; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Polk County has appropriated public funds for the Court to implement a Pre-Trial Release Program, it is necessary to define the role and scope of such program.

THEREFORE, it is ORDERED AND DIRECTED:

1. That the Pre-Trial Release Program will be under the direction of the Court Administrator, and day-to-day technical supervision of the program will be addressed by a designated judge of the Polk County Court.

2. That the overall goal of the Pre-Trial Release Program is to return to society those individuals who, with a high degree of certainty, will return to Court at the specified time; thus, helping to contribute to the prevention of serious inmate overcrowding in the Polk County Jail.

3. That a Director of the Pre-Trial Release Program will be appointed by the Chief Judge and shall serve at the pleasure of the Court. The director will be assisted with appropriate staff as funded by the Board of County Commissioners. Administrative assistance for the Program will be provided by the Court Administrator.

4. That until such time as a board of competent persons may be appointed by the Chief Judge, the criteria for Pre-Trial Release will be that recommended by the Administrative Judge of the Felony Division of the Circuit Court; and the Polk County Judge exercising technical supervision of the Pre-Trail Release Program; and the Administrative Judge-of the Polk County Court; and approved by the Chief Judge.

5. That the Pre-Trial Release staff, once they have completed the daily interviewers with selected jail inmates, will present their release recommendations to the Polk County Judge assigned to preside over First Appearance Hearings. In the event this Judge is not available, the recommendations shall be presented to any available Polk County Judge, or Circuit Judge, assigned to the Polk Felony Division.

6. That the principal duties and routine of the Pre-Trial Release Director and staff are essentially those stated in Enclosure 1 attached hereto, which may be revised from time to time.

7. That, providing the Pre-Trial Release Program has the time and resources to do so, the Chief Judge may require the Director to investigate and report in other areas, such as the financial status of defendants stating that they are indigent or partially indigent.

8. That a monthly Pre-Trial Release Activities Report (see Enclosure 2) will be completed by the Director and distribute as follows no later than the tenth of the month following the month of the activities reported on:

ORIGINAL The County Administrator

COPY The Chief Judge

COPY The Administrative Judge, Polk County Court

COPY The Supervision Judge, Polk County Court

COPY The Court Administrator

COPY The Administrative Judge, Felony Division

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Bartow, Polk County, Florida this 13th day of April, 1982.

THOMAS M. LANGSTON

Chief Judge