Pretrial Screening and Investigation
703 Ball NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(Kent County Correctional Facility - Intake)
(616) 632-6321 / 24 hours a day or
(616) 632-6322
Fax (616) 632-6339
This unit is responsible for providing bail reports on all felony offenders in Kent County to the various district courts as well as 17th Circuit Court. These reports include information regarding the offender's residence, employment status, family ties, prior criminal record, current charge(s), and other issues such as substance abuse or mental health. A bond recommendation is submitted along with suggestions for bond conditions. Misdemeanor offenses are also interviewed and a shortened version is submitted at the time of arraignment.
Pretrial Investigators also have the authority to release offenders prior to arraignment on Personal Recognizance bonds or other reduced bond amounts provided that the charge is non-violent, the arresting officer has no objection, the offender is cooperative, and the information that the offender gave is verified by a second party. This process called "Fast Track" must also be approved by the Kent County Correctional Facility Administration. The benefits of Fast Track are: reduction in jail over-crowding, freeing up the Judge's arraignment load, and it saves the tax payers and local police agencies money by not having to pay for the housing of these offenders.
Another service that is provided exclusively for 61st District Court is a Court Representative. This position is responsible for appearing in court to represent the Pretrial Bail Reports and answer questions from the Bench. The Court Representative also completes motions for 17th Circuit Court, reviews felony cases for release, and initiates amended bond orders on defendants at all stages of the court process.
