JRI Referrals in Connecticut
People accused of a crime or crimes in Connecticut who have not been able to post bond or bail after arrest may be eligible for release to a treatment facility during the pretrial phase of their case. It is called a JRI referral, which stands for a Jail Re-Interview process.
Here is how it works. If a person is arrested and can't post bail, they are interviewed by a person from the bail commissioners office before their arraignment at court. Bail then makes a recommendation to the court as to the bail amount. The court can accept or modify that recommendation. If the person cannot post bail, he is detained until his case is over or he posts his bail as set by the court. In some cases these detainees may be eligible for release using a JRI referral if they can't post bond. In most cases, the person's attorney requests the JRI referral. In other cases, Bail does it on their own. If a JRI referral is made, a member of the Bail staff goes to the jail and interviews the person. If they find the person has a substance abuse problem that would benefit from treatment, they will accept the person onto their waiting list for treatment.
In order for the referral to result in the person being placed on the waiting list for a treatment facility, there must be an agreement with the prosecutor that they will not object to the referral. At Bayer & Black we have negotiated for JRI referrals in many different types of cases, including cases with felony charges. The Bail staff member who did the initial evaluation at the jail will then submit a written report to the court as to the treatment recommendation. The court will then reduce the person's bail from a monetary amount to a conditional promise to appear. The condition being full compliance with the recommended treatment plan. In most cases, once the prosecutor agrees to the JRI referral, it means the person will not go back to jail if they successfully complete the treatment recommendation and after-care provisions. It does not mean the charges will be dropped or dismissed like in diversionary programs. It means the person will plead guilty to something that is agreed to and be placed on probation.
The JRI process as described on Judicial Website - Jail Re-Interview (JRI) Services: Bail staff provides jail re-interview services at Department of Correction facilities to obtain additional information for individuals held on bond after arraignment. JRI staff work with the defendant and their family and /or references, to develop a pre-trial release plan. Pre-trial release plans consider the defendant’s treatment needs and the family’s ability to post bond. If a pre-trial release recommendation is appropriate, the information is communicated back to the Court and is ruled on during a bond modification hearing. This program allows a defendant to access treatment quicker and also helps to reduce overcrowding at jail and prison facilities.
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Kevin M. Black, Sr. is a former trial level Assistant State’s Attorney (prosecutor) for the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice and the current Liaison to the Judicial District of Danbury for the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, as well as a Member of the Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee overseeing attorney misconduct. Kevin M. Black, Jr. is a former Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney (prosecutor) with the Appellate Unit of the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. Both serve as approved Assigned Counsel for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender when needed. Our team has tried many cases to verdict and take cases to trial, or pretrial contested hearings, if needed. Our clients become part of our family and when you work with us, you will see and feel the care, compassion, and dedication that we put into defending our family. Don’t settle for anything less than a firm with a proven track record of success and deep experience on both sides of the process.
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Bayer & Black, P.C. is a leading, full service criminal defense firm serving Fairfield County, Hartford County, Litchfield County, Middlesex County, New Haven County, New London County, Tolland County, and Windham County residents for 25+ years. Contact us today to discuss your case in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Fairfield, Wilton, Ridgefield, Norwalk, Trumbull, Bridgeport, Milford, Weston, Danbury, Newtown, Rowayton, and receive a free consultation. In addition to Criminal Defense we also serve people threatened by DCF, defending against Restraining Orders, Divorce victims and people injured by the negligence of others or their pets (Bodily Injury).