The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services developed the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument to be used by pretrial services programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The General Assembly mandated, as a part of the Pretrial Services Act, that the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services “…shall develop risk assessment and other instruments to be used by pretrial services programs in assisting judicial officers in discharging their duties pursuant to Article 1 (§ 19.2–119 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of the Code of Virginia (Code of Virginia § 19.2-152.3).” A pretrial risk assessment instrument is used to identify a defendant’s risk of failure (failure to appear for a scheduled court appearance or arrest for a new offense) if released pending trial. Statewide implementation of the instrument is complete. This instrument was re-validated in 2008.
For more information about the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument, send your inquires to Ken Rose.