About

The Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) is a federal independent entity within the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). PSA has served the Nation's Capital for more than 50 years. The agency assists judicial officers in both the Superior Court and United States District Court for the District of Columbia by formulating release recommendations and providing supervision and services to defendants awaiting trial that reasonably assure return to court and minimize rearrest. PSA has long been a leader in the DC criminal justice system and has been recognized nationally for its in-house drug testing, and innovative supervision and treatment programs.

PSA partners with justice agencies and community organizations as a major strategy to enhance public safety and build the capacity to effectuate close supervision and support services to defendants under pretrial supervision. For partnerships to be viable, PSA proactively seeks opportunities and collaborates with stakeholders to develop program goals, objectives and implementation plans.
 

What PSA Does

PSA is the federal agency responsible for gathering information about newly arrested defendants and preparing the recommendations considered by the Court in deciding conditional release. We recommend the least restrictive conditions that enhance public safety and assure return to court.  

PSA supervises defendants released to the community through a variety of programs that include drug treatment, mental health services and referral to a range of social services.

PSA has partnerships with various justice agencies and community organizations to build our capacity for support services for defendants under pretrial supervision.

To become even more effective in our work with defendants, PSA implemented telephone-interpreting services to assist in communicating with defendants who have limited or no ability to speak English. In addition, PSA has staff available to translate for 8 languages.