Department of Pretrial Services

Helping to provide and compassion to Kentucky’s judicial system

The Kentucky General Assembly created Pretrial Services through the 1976 Bail Bond Reform Act, which also eliminated commercial bail bonding. With strong support from then-Gov. Julian Carroll, the legislature made it a criminal offense to post a bond for profit in the Kentucky, the first state in the country to take this bold step. This innovative approach led to the creation of a statewide Pretrial Services program.

Pretrial Services officers interview defendants within 12 hours of arrest, verify the information provided, perform extensive criminal background checks and utilize a validated risk assessment in order to make a recommendation for release to the trial courts. Defendants are entitled to the least restrictive release terms possible, depending on whether they are likely to appear in court and not present a risk to public safety.