What is pre-trial probation?
A. Pre-trial probation is an agreement between the government and the defendant that occurs before a trial or other final disposition, though the actual probation itself is administered and monitored by the probation department. While pre-trial probation requires that the defendant be placed on either supervised or administrative (unsupervised) probation for a specified time period even before a criminal conviction enters, it benefits the defendant in that the case will be temporarily removed from the court docket list and then effectively dismissed provided the defendant successfully completes the probationary period. Should, however, the defendant violate any of the general or specific terms and conditions of the pre-trial probation, those of which would be explicitly stated in a pre-trial probation contract reviewed and signed by the defendant at its inception, the case would then revert back to the docket list and proceed in the ordinary course of business. Unlike with a probation
