Court Opens Pretrial Services Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Court Opens Pretrial Service Center
New office will help defendants meet Court requirements while on pre-trial release

Oakland, Calif. – April 14, 2025 – Defendants needing assistance to comply with court-ordered tasks as a condition of their pre-trial release from jail can now turn to the Superior Court of Alameda County for help.

In response to the absence of state and county funding for pretrial services, the Court opened a one-stop shop today that will provide criminal defendants with resources and assistance to help them connect to supportive services, complete court-ordered classes and programs, and return to court for upcoming hearings.

By connecting defendants with the resources they need to comply with conditions of their pretrial release, the Court’s Pretrial Resource Center can save Alameda County and local jurisdictions precious public dollars and make our communities safer by reducing the number of defendants who are re-arrested and sent back to jail while in the community awaiting trial.

“We noticed a significant lack of resources for defendants who need help connecting to the services they need to remain in compliance with court orders,” said Cory Jacobs who leads our Court’s pretrial unit. “We want to help defendants have the support and resources they need to return to court for future hearings and connect them to supportive services so they can avoid further jail time.”

The Pretrial Resource Center opened today and allows defendants to visit without an appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will be in the office of pretrial services (Dept. 1A) on the second floor of the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse. The Court hopes to eventually expand the program to Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse and East County Hall of Justice and provide additional office hours.

The center will be staffed with interns who rotate through the Court each year helping to build and maintain our various pretrial services programs.

Among the services provided will be:

• Assistance connecting and enrolling defendants into programs ordered by the court such as parenting classes, outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services and anger management classes.
• On-site computers that will allow defendants to participate in and complete virtual services or classes.
• A Donation Closet for defendants who need clothing items such as outerwear and professional attire for job interviews or other appointments.
• Assistance in navigating the court calendar and enrolling text message court date reminders.
• Transportation assistance to support defendants in getting to court and supportive service appointments.

“I’m thrilled the Court can provide this valuable service without impacting our limited budget,” said Presiding Judge Thomas Nixon. “Special thanks to those in our court who identified this need and developed a creative solution that will make our community safer.”

Defendants interested in utilizing the Pretrial Services Center are encouraged to visit in-person during office hours or call 510-891-6100.

Click here to download this press release.

Contact:
Paul T. Rosynsky
Public Information Officer
prosynsky@alameda.courts.ca.gov
510.627.4770