Pretrial Release Officer

Municipal Court Of Atlanta

Pretrial Release Officer

Posting Expires: December 26, 2024

Salary: $40,019/annually 

General Description and Classification Standards

The individuals in this position interview, assess eligibility, and issue release orders for defendants who meet stipulations of the pretrial program. Duties include but are not limited to: reviewing arrest records and prior criminal history reports; conducting interviews with defendants; and issuing release orders and gathering pertinent information regarding potential candidates for release. 

Supervision Received

Work methods and assignment results are typically reviewed by a more experienced professional or a manager prior to final action.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities  

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  May perform other duties as assigned.

Reviews and researches criminal records and driver’s history by performing a complete record check on local, state and national levels; reviews court dockets and other materials; and performs other tasks as necessary to evaluate prospective candidates' qualifications for pretrial program, and for the judges' Court arraignments. 

Prepares defendant criminal histories for bond hearing and general criminal hearings; organizes and manages criminal history information for bond hearing and assists the court as needed. 

Copies the jail intake log to view potential candidates for release on recognizance bond.

Interviews and investigates defendants in court and jail to determine eligibility for recognizance; based on the investigations, prepares reports for the court to make informed release or detain the defendant. 

Confers with judges, attorneys, and others to answer questions, obtain information, or as otherwise necessary to assess eligibility and issue release orders for defendants who meet the stipulations of the pretrial program. 

Interviews defendants for potential release on free pretrial bond based on the information contained in the criminal history, references information provided by defendant and the defendant’s ties to the community; enters information gathered on criminal histories and releases information into appropriate databases. 

Runs criminal and driver’s history, and checks for warrants, probation, parole, missing person and sex offender registry for each individual listed on the jail intake log.  Interviews and investigates eligible candidates (based on their citations) for signature and recognizance bonds. 

Able to work in the City of Atlanta Detention Facility.

Decision Making

Interprets data and makes decision based on source documents. Determines whether a defendant is releasable or not. Applicant must be an independent thinking and able to problem solve. 

Leadership Provided

Communicates with, Judges, defendants, family members, and the staff of the Department of corrections and the general public as necessary to explain the judicial process and the rules and regulations of the pretrial program. None; may oversee temporary or contract workers as needed. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully.  It is not an exhaustive list.

General knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Municipal Court; knowledge of the legal terminology used within the judicial system; knowledge of warrants, criminal records research, and/or interviewing inmates/defendants.

Good computer skills; exceptional skills in communicating and listening to effectively convey information verbally and in writing; English/Spanish bilingual communications skills strongly preferred.

Ability to compile, organize, prepare and maintain an assortment of records, reports and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations; ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, and other staff members; ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations; mathematical ability to handle required calculations; ability to utilize and understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments; ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities; ability to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department; capable of working under a considerable degree of stress related to duties that require constant attention to detail and tight.