California’s Landmark Ruling
In a unanimous ruling, the California Supreme Court held that courts may only detain those eligible for detention under the state constitution. In re Kowalczyk upholds state and federal constitutional law by reaffirming that release before trial is the norm and detention the carefully limited exception. APPR sees the ruling as an opportunity to advance more fair and effective pretrial practices in California—and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Learn from experienced pretrial practitioners, researchers, and leaders about a wide range of pretrial topics that touch on all aspects of the pretrial system.
Events Calendar
Pretrial Resources
Explore our action-focused resources that help you plan for and implement pretrial improvements to generate better outcomes, advance equity, and much more.
Resource Library
Stories from the Field
Discover how pretrial changemakers across the nation are improving their pretrial systems to enhance community well-being and safety.
Read Our Stories
Off-Ramp: Prosecutor-led Diversion in Salt Lake County
Prosecutors & pretrial services in Salt Lake County, Utah, collaborate to address behavior while preventing deeper criminal legal system involvement.
The Yellow Line
An innovative collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health leaders in Mankato, Minnesota resulted in more community-based care coordination for people experiencing mental or chemical health struggles, directing many to treatment instead of jail.
Alameda County’s Pretrial Resource Centers: Support Is a Winning Strategy
By removing barriers, providing access to resources, and humanizing the pretrial process, Alameda County’s Pretrial Resource Centers offer a repeatable model for other places seeking to improve outcomes and community safety.
A Growing Movement for “Participatory Defense”
In 2016, Damon Drake was working on an initiative to provide alternatives to incarceration in Ramsey County, Minnesota, when he conducted a survey to better understand community perspectives …
Uplifting the Strengths of Rural Pretrial Systems
Rural and urban criminal legal systems can differ widely. They have different needs, resources, and conditions. Yet, most initiatives and reform efforts focus on urban jurisdictions that experience …
Closing Gaps, Saving Lives
One county’s innovative response to domestic violence.
PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT
The PSA
The Public Safety Assessment (PSA) provides research-based information on people’s likelihood of returning to court and remaining law-abiding on pretrial release. The use of a validated pretrial assessment can contribute to more consistent, fair, and effective pretrial decisions that keep the community safe and uphold legal rights and principles.
About APPR
We’re creating a national network of pretrial professionals and community members who are working to advance pretrial justice. Our work focuses on enhancing the capacity of communities to implement fair, just, and effective pretrial justice, and to expand the number of state and local jurisdictions engaged in data-informed pretrial practices.
