A Study of Pre-Trial Conditions of Release
CRG Releases Landmark Report on Pretrial Release Conditions and Their Impact
The Crime Research Group, Inc. (CRG) has released a comprehensive report analyzing the impact of pretrial release conditions on defendants in Vermont’s criminal justice system. The study examines the correlation between imposed release conditions and key legal outcomes, including failure to appear (FTA) rates, new criminal charges, and violations of conditions of release (VCRs).
The pretrial stage is a pivotal moment in the criminal process, determining whether an individual is released on their own recognizance, released with conditions, or required to post bail. Approximately 46% of defendants are released with conditions before their cases conclude, yet the effects of these conditions have not been fully explored until now.
Key Findings
CRG’s study analyzed data from Vermont’s judiciary and criminal history records, focusing on cases between March 2021 and March 2022. Notable findings include:
- Gender Disparities: Women are more likely than men to have an FTA. Further research is needed to explore potential contributing factors such as gender disparities in childcare, employment, etc., that may create barriers to court appearance.
- Geographic Disparities: The study identified county-level differences in the application of conditions, FTA rates, and VCR occurrences. The results suggest variations in judicial discretion, policing practices, and prosecutorial decisions across Vermont.
- Impact of the Presence of Conditions: In a control group analysis, the study found that individuals who received conditions had higher likelihood of a FTA and a new offense while their base case was pending.
Implications and Next Steps
“This report provides critical insights into how pretrial release conditions impact defendants and the justice system as a whole,” said Dr. Robin Joy, Director of Research at CRG. “Our findings highlight the need for further research into gender disparities in FTA rates, the effectiveness of No Abuse orders, and how geographic differences in judicial practices affect legal outcomes.”
The report also underscores data limitations, including the lack of information on pretrial incarceration and probation interactions. Addressing these gaps will be essential in shaping future reforms to ensure fair and effective pretrial practices.
Users can explore the data further by accessing the full interactive report.