If you are arrested in Jefferson County, Colorado, you may be put on pretrial services upon your release on bail or your own recognizance.
The Jefferson County Pretrial Services Program monitors your compliance while your criminal case is pending to make sure you are following your release conditions.
Pretrial Services is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It is located inside the Jefferson County Courthouse at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Ste 1500, Golden, CO 80419.
Conditions of pretrial services
If you are on pretrial services in Jefferson County, you are required to:
- abstain from drugs and alcohol;
- get advanced permission from the court before you travel out of state;
- pay all pretrial services fees;
- attend all required court appearances; and
- follow any other terms the court orders in your case (such as electronic monitoring or attending substance abuse counseling).
You are also required to regularly check in with a diversion manager and/or the court and may have to submit to urinalysis testing. The frequency of these check-ins and tests is unique to each case.
Being on pretrial services is very similar to being on probation following a conviction: You get to remain out of custody, but with conditions.
Though whereas probationers get assigned a probation officer from the probation department, you get assigned a pretrial services officer from Pretrial Court Services.
Violating my terms of release
If you violate any of the terms of your pretrial supervision agreement in Jefferson County (such as by failing a drug test or missing a check-in), the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. At that point, the judge may decide to:
- revoke your bond and remand you to jail pending the outcome of your case; or
- allow you to stay out of custody on the same or harsher terms.
Therefore, it is important that you are careful to follow all the terms of your pretrial release. One little mistake – or the appearance of a mistake – could land you back in jail.
Pretrial services process
If you are arrested in Jefferson County, you will be interviewed by the Pretrial Officer Unit. (The Officer Unit is located in the Jefferson County Detention Facility at 200 Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401.)
The Pretrial Officer Unit then writes a pretrial report about you, which includes such information as:
- your criminal history (if any),
- whether you are at risk of re-offending based on the Colorado Pretrial Risk Assessment Tool (CPAT),
- your mental health and physical health,
- whether you are a threat to public safety,
- any other information that the judge may find helpful when making an informed decision on whether to release you from jail.
The judge will then decide whether to release you on bail or your own recognizance, and if so, whether to put you on pretrial services.
If the judge does put you on pretrial services, you have only 24 hours after leaving jail to check in with the Pretrial Case Management Unit. To check in, call 303-271-6528 or use their online form to schedule your intake: The Unit can usually complete your intake the same day over the phone.
You may get assigned a pretrial case manager, who will supervise your compliance with the bond conditions that the judge ordered. Your case manager will also provide referrals to any services providers you may need to remain compliant.
Once your criminal case is resolved (either by a conviction, acquittal, or dismissal of charges), you will be removed from pretrial services.
Not everyone is on pretrial services
No. Jefferson County judges typically assign you to pretrial services if you are facing felony or serious misdemeanor charges.
Note that if you are not on pretrial services, you are still obligated to show up to future required court hearings. If you are a no-show, the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
Checking in with pretrial services
Your Jefferson County pretrial services supervision agreement spells out when and how you must check in with Pretrial Services. In most cases, you must check in by phone every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
To check in with Pretrial Services’ automated system by phone, call (303) 271-6500. You will then need to enter your social security number and listen for information on your next court date. do not hang up until you hear the message that your check-in is complete.
Note that if your contact information has changed since your last check-in, you are required to reach out to and notify your case manager.
Paying your pretrial services fees
Jefferson County’s Pretrial Services accepts payment in person or by mail at:
Jefferson County Pretrial Services
100 Jefferson County Parkway, Ste 1500
Golden, CO 80419
All payments must be made by either:
- Cash (the exact amount),
- Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards, or
- Money orders (payable to Jefferson County Treasurer C/O pretrial services).
Traveling out of state
If you are on pretrial services in Jefferson County and wish to travel outside of Colorado, you need the court’s permission beforehand. You do this by submitting a travel permit request in person at:
Jefferson County Pretrial Services
100 Jefferson County Parkway, Ste 1500
Golden, CO 80419
In your travel permit request, you will have to disclose the following information:
- Why you want to travel out of state;
- Whether you will be driving, flying, etc.;
- The names of your travel companions, if any;
- The dates you will be traveling;
- The name, number, and physical address of who you will be lodging with; and
- Consent of Surety from your bondsman or bond cosigner (this condition does not apply if you were released on O.R. or self-posted cash bail.)
It takes at least two weeks for pretrial services to process a travel request, so be sure to submit your request as soon as you know your travel dates.
Defendants on pretrial services must abstain from alcohol and drugs.
Additional resources
The following programs can help you remain out of trouble while you are on pre-trial release:
- Alcoholics Anonymous – a 12-step program for alcoholism.
- Narcotics Anonymous – a 12-step program for drug addiction.
- Anger Management Support Groups – Search by city or zip code.
- Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous – weekly self-help group for shoplifters.
- Gamblers Anonymous – a 12-step program for gambling addiction.
