dan_VA

The original thought behind Pretrial Services was to provide a means for the indigent to obtain bail. That's not at all what it does, at least in Virginia. When a defendants are assigned to pretrial services, They are essentially going through probation prior to being found guilty. They typically have to report regularly, submit to drug or alcohol tests, may have to attend educational classes, etc. This is the same as probation. Can we still say that the principle of the defendant is innocent until proven guilty still holds true? In addition, suppose the defendant goes through pretrial and then is found not guilty, or the case is dismissed. The defendant is not reimbursed for the hardship caused the pretrial probationary punishment. Also, if placed in pretrial services, the level of cooperation with pretrial reflects on the case of the original charge, so the defendant has no choice but to cooperate fully, even if the original charge is found to be bogus. Just asking? What do you think?