About the Program
In 1993, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, through enabling legislation, was authorized to establish and direct a Pretrial Release Program. Pretrial Services allows for an individual, court ordered by a judge and with further approval from the Frederick County Adult Detention Center, to be released from incarceration under intense supervision pending their trial. The basic concept of the Pretrial Services Program is to maximize the release of eligible defendants awaiting trial from the Frederick County Adult Detention Center while ensuring a high rate of appearance for court. All participants are closely supervised in the community by two (2) Pretrial Services Correctional Classification Specialists who conduct home visits, job checks and require the defendant to report to the office for random drug screening. Supervision is received through the Assistant Director of Community Services.

The Frederick County program focuses on nonviolent offenders, who if supervised in the community while awaiting trial, can offset the expenditure of their incarceration for the taxpayers of Frederick County while minimizing the risk of safety to the community.

The Frederick County Pretrial Services Program is authorized under Correctional Services Codes, Section 11-712 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.