U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs

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Federal Pretrial Release
and Detention, 1996
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Z 34% of the 56,982 defendants
charged with a Federal offense were
ordered detained by the court
pending adjudication of the charges.
Z Of those defendants released
pending trial, 59.7% were released
on their own recognizance (21.7%) or
on an unsecured bond (38%).
Z About a quarter of those released
were required to post bail to gain
release; however, 61.2% were
unable to post bail on the day they
were eligible for release.
Z Defendants charged with drug
(35.5%) or immigration (55.6%)
offenses were required to post bail
more often than those charged with
other offenses. Among those eligible
for release, 55% of drug offenders
and 92.3% of immigration offenders

çíø

did not post bail on the day they were
eligible for release.
Z Defendants charged with violent
(49.7%), immigration (47.9%), or
drug trafficking (45.7%) offenses
were detained by the court for the
entire pretrial period at a greater rate
than other offenders.
Z Defendants with a criminal history
were ordered detained at a greater
rate than first-time arrestees: 38.4%
of defendants with at least one prior
arrest were ordered detained
compared to 26.7% of first-time
arrestees.
Z Defendants without established ties
to the community were generally
more likely to be ordered detained
than other defendants: 52.7% of
noncitizens, 51.8% of transients, and
63.6% of the homeless were ordered
detained.

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Recommendations to the court
While the decision to release or detain
a defendant is the UHVSRQVLELOLW\ of the
court, pursuant to the Bail Reform Act
of 1984, both the U.S. attorneys and
the pretrial services officers may make
recommendations to the court regarding whether the defendant should be
released or detained pending trial.

íø

ìíø

Ordered
detained

Court decision
Release on &
Financial Nonfinancial
conditions conditions

56,664

34.0%

17.1%

49.0%

Pretrial service officer
No recommendation
Release
Financial conditions
Nonfinancial conditions
Detention

6,564
26,070
8,506
17,564
24,028

30.6%
6.1
11.4
3.6
65.1

9.5%
20.6
51.1
5.7
15.3

59.9%
73.3
37.5
90.7
19.5

U.S. attorney
No recommendation
Release
Financial conditions
Nonfinancial conditions
Detention

5,512
24,336
8,825
15,511
26,811

10.3%
1.0
1.4
0.7
68.8

26.7%
22.4
58.6
1.8
10.3

63.0%
76.7
40.1
97.5
20.9

Total*

éíø

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Table 1. Recommendations by U.S. attorneys and pretrial services
officers to release or detain a defendant pending trial, by court decision, 1996

Number

êíø

Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

officers. In those cases where the
courts did not concur with the U.S.
During 1996 U.S. attorneys and
attorneys’ recommendations, the
pretrial services officers recomcourts generally imposed less restricmended detention for nearly half of
tive conditions than those recomthose charged (table 1). For about
mended. During 1996 the courts
15% of those charged, they recomreleased about 31% of those defenmended that the defendant be released dants for whom the U.S. attorney
on bail. The U.S. attorneys and the
recommended detention. They
pretrial services officers concurred in
released without a bail requirement
their recommendations to the court
40% of those defendants for whom the
about three-quarters of the time (not
U.S. attorney recommended bail.
shown in a table).
Similarly, the courts released more
The courts concurred about threethan a third of those defendants for
quarters of the time with the recomwhom the pretrial services officer
mendations made by the U.S.
recommended detention. About 6% of
attorneys and the pretrial services
those for whom the pretrial services

Recommendation

ëíø

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*Includes defendants for whom specific characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

2 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

officer recommended release were
detained by the court.
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During 1996, 56,982 defendants were
arraigned before a Federal judicial
officer (district court judge or magistrate). The charges filed against 318
of these defendants were dismissed.1
In more than three-quarters of the
cases, the defendant was charged
with a drug offense (39.3%), a
property offense (24.8%), or an
immigration offense (14.1%). Few
defendants (6.5%) were charged
with a violent offense (figure 1).
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1

The 318 defendants for whom the charges
filed were initially dismissed are excluded
from further analyses.

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Table 2. Type of release decision by U.S. district courts following
initial appearance or detention hearing, by most serious offense, 1996

Most
serious
offense

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Total
b

37,410

21.7%

38.0% 25.8%

10.0%

15.8%

14.5%

1,849

28.7%

28.5% 15.6%

6.7%

8.9%

27.2%

Property offenses
Fraudulent
Other

12,402
9,608
2,794

29.5%
27.3
37.2

49.8% 14.2%
51.7
15.5
43.2
9.6

7.2%
7.9
4.8

7.0%
7.6
4.8

6.5%
5.5
10.0

Drug offenses
Trafficking
Possession
and other

12,486
10,925

13.5%
10.9

35.2% 35.5%
36.3
37.2

16.0%
16.8

19.5%
20.4

15.7%
15.7

32.2

28.2

23.8

10.6

13.1

15.8

Public-order
Regulatory
Other
Immigration
Weapons
Other

10,512
1,432
9,080
4,160
1,495
3,425

20.4%
31.6
18.6
2.1
18.8
38.6

29.2%
43.4
26.9
12.5
39.4
39.0

30.2%
15.2
32.5
55.6
18.4
10.7

6.9%
9.2
6.5
4.3
10.3
7.5

23.3%
6.0
26.0
51.3
8.1
3.2

20.3%
9.8
22.0
29.9
23.4
11.7

Total

Violent offenses

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Type of release decision
Bail
Personal UnDetained,
recogbail not Restrictive
secured
nizance bond
Total
Released madea
conditions

1,561

a

Represents defendants unable to post bail on the day of the initial appearance
or detention hearing; 20% of those unable to post bail on the first day they were eligible
were released within 9 days.
b
Includes defendants for whom specific characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1993.

Federal pretrial release and detention, 1996
Def endants arraigned at
initial court appearance
56,982

Detention
hearing ordered
26,222

Release granted
Initially
dismissed (under conditions)
30,442
318

Personal
recognizance
7,188

Unsecured
bond
12,242

a

Bail
6,519

Restrictiv e
conditions only
4,493

Detained
by court
19,254

Release granted
(under conditions)
6,968

Personal
Unsecured
recognizance bond
924
1,967

b

Bail
3,144

Restrictiv e
conditions only
933

Notes: Excludes defendants who were transferred either initially or following a detention hearing. Restrictive
conditions include only those defendants released under court-imposed restrictive conditions and do not include
defendants released under a combination of restrictive conditions and other forms of pretrial release.
a
Of those initially released on bail, 66.8% were unable to post bail at the time of the initial appearance.
b
Of those released on bail following a detention hearing, 49.6% did not post bail on that day.
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Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

3

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Table 3. Reason for court ordered detention,
by most serious offense, 1996

Most serious offense
Total*

Defendants ordered detained pending adjudication
Danger to &
Risk of Witness
Flight and
Number
flight
or juror
Community danger
19,254

42.3%

0.6%

10.0%

47.0%

Violent offenses

1,826

11.3%

1.3%

22.9%

64.6%

Property offenses
Fraudulent
Other

1,672
1,224
448

55.1%
62.9
33.7

0.5%
0.1
1.8

7.3%
4.3
15.6

37.1%
32.8
48.9

Drug offenses
Trafficking
Possession and

9,811
9,188
623

34.2%
34.2
34.5

0.5%
0.5
0.2

10.3%
10.3
11.2

55.0%
55.0
54.1

Public-order offenses
Regulatory
Other
Immigration
Weapons
Other

5,910
268
5,642
3,827
1,002
813

61.9%
48.9
62.5
80.1
14.4
39.1

0.7%
0.8
0.7
0.1
1.7
2.2

6.2%
8.6
6.0
0.5
22.8
11.6

31.3%
41.8
30.8
19.3
61.2
47.1

*Includes defendants for whom specific characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

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Percent of defendants ordered detained by U.S. courts,
by Federal judicial district, 1996

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Note: Includes percent of defendants detained pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e); it does not include defendants detained
because they did not post the required bail. The following States and territories are not included in the map:
Alaska (28.3%), Guam (23.2%), Hawaii (52.0%), Puerto Rico (30.9%), and Virgin Islands (74.9%).
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.
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4 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

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Z the proportion of defendants
presumed by statute to be a pretrial
risk (see appendix A3)
Z the proportion of defendants who
were identified as noncitizens.
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Note: Includes defendants pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142 (e); does not inlcude defendants
detained because they did not post the required bail.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.
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Bail has traditionally been used to
ensure an accused person’s appearance at trial. Under a bail system, a
person accused of a crime remains
free pending trial by posting security
 property or money  to ensure he
or she will stand trial and submit to a
sentence if found guilty. If the defendant fails to appear at trial, the posted
security  or bail  is forfeited.
If the defendant does not post bail,
the defendant is detained pending
adjudication of the charges.
Pretrial release of criminal
defendants 
y furthers the presumption of
innocence by avoiding unduly
detention
y permits a defendant to more fully
assist in the preparation of a defense

y reduces the possibility that the
defendant might be incarcerated for a
longer period than would otherwise be
appropriate for the offense committed.
Prior to 1966 the Federal courts relied
almost exclusively on bail to ensure a
defendant’s appearance at trial. In
1966 Congress, in an effort to reform
Federal bail practices, de-emphasized
the use of bail. The Bail Reform Act
of 1966 required the courts to release
any defendant charged with a
noncapital offense on his or her own
recognizance or on an unsecured
appearance bond unless the court
determined that the defendant would
fail to appear for trial under such
minimal supervision.a
a

H.R. REP. 1541, 89th Cong. 2nd Sess. (1966).

In cases where the defendant could
not be released under minimal supervision, the court could impose other
conditions such as third-party supervision, limited travel and association,
bail, and/or any other condition
deemed necessary by the court to
assure the defendant’s appearance
at trial.
The decision to release or detain a
defendant pending adjudication of the
charges has traditionally been predicated on the likelihood of the defendant’s appearance at trial. Bail reform
legislation enacted during 1984,
expanded the courts’ consideration
of factors when deciding whether
to grant pretrial release.b
b

S. REP. No. 225, 98th Cong. 1st Sess. (1984).

Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

5

Z a crime of violence
Z an offense for which the maximum
sentence is life imprisonment or death

Percent of defendants ordered detained by U.S.
district courts, by number of prior arrests, 1996

Z a drug offense for which the
maximum sentence is 10 years or
more imprisonment

Number of
prior arrests
No prior arrests

Z any felony if the defendant had been
convicted on two or more occasions

1

Z those offenses described above or
similar State-level offenses.

2 to 4
5 or more

Regardless of the U.S. attorney’s
recommendation, the court can order a
detention hearing if there is a serious
risk that the defendant will attempt to
avoid prosecution by fleeing or the
defendant will attempt to obstruct
justice or intimidate prospective
witnesses or jurors. 2

Statutorily prescribed factors
Federal law requires judicial officers
(district court judges and magistrates)
to consider certain factors when
making pretrial detention decisions.
The factors identified by statute are &
y the nature and circumstances of the
offense charged
y the weight of the evidence
y the financial resources
2

0%
20%
40%
60%
Percent of def endants ordered detained by court
Note: Includes defendants pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142 (e); does not inlcude
defendants detained because they did not to post the required bail.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S, Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

Figure 5

y character and mental condition of
that the defendant’s release would
pose.3
the defendant
y family ties
y employment status
Community safety includes the risk
y community ties and length of
that the defendant would continue
residency in the community
to engage in other criminal activity
y record of appearance at court
regardless of whether physical violence
proceedings
was involved,4 including the risk that
y prior criminal convictions
the defendant would continue to
y whether at the time of the current
distribute controlled substances.5
offense the defendant was under
3
18 U.S.C. § 3142(f).
criminal justice supervision
4
See, U.S. v. Provenzano, 605 F.2d 85 (3rd.
y the nature and seriousness of the
Cir. 1979).
5
danger to the community or any person S. Rep. No. 225, 98th Cong., 1st Sess. (1983);
See, also, U.S. v. Hawkins, 617 F.2d 59 (5th
Cir. 1980) cert. denied, 449 U.S. 952 (1980);
U.S. v. Cook, 880 F. 2d 1158 (10th Cir. 1989);
U.S. v. Strong, 775 F.2d 504 (3rd Cir. 1985).

18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).

Pretrial release and detention in the Federal criminal justice system (cont.)
y if the defendant poses either a risk
of flight or a threat to the community,
the court could release the defendant pending trial under conditions
that mitigate the risks posed
y the court could detain the defendant pending trial if it is determined
that the defendant poses a risk of
flight or is a danger to another
person or the community and that no
condition, or combination of conditions, would mitigate those risks.d

The Bail Reform Act of 1984
expanded the authority of the courts to
regulate pretrial release for reasons
such as protecting the community and
specific individuals  particularly
prospective witnesses and jurors 
from defendants considered too
dangerous to be released.c As a
result, the Bail Reform Act of 1984
created a three-tiered approach
toward pretrial release 
y consistent with the existing policy,
the 1984 act required the pretrial
release of defendants who do not
pose a risk of flight or a danger to
another person or the community
c

18 U.S.C. § 3142(g)(4).

At a detention hearing (typically held
within 3 to 5 days of the defendant’s
arrest), the Bail Reform Act of 1984
requires the Government to prove by
d

18 U.S.C. § 3142(a).

6 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

clear and convincing evidence that no
condition(s) of release would reasonably ensure that the defendant would
appear for trial and not pose a risk to
the community.e
If the defendant is a violent recidivist
or is accused of committing the
current offense while carrying a
firearm or while on pretrial release for
another offense, the statute presumes
the defendant to pose a pretrial risk.
That defendant is presumptively
detained and bears the burden to
show why he should be released.f
e

19 U.S.C. § 3142(f).
18 U.S.C. § 3142(e).

f

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Table 4: Defendants ordered detained
by U.S. district courts, by selected
criminal history characteristics, 1996

Characteristic

Defendants in U.S.
district court
Percent orNumber dered detained

Total*

56,664

34.0%

Number of
prior arrests
No prior arrests
1
2 to 4
5 or more

21,487
7,991
11,909
15,277

26.7%
26.9
34.1
47.9

Number of prior
convictions
No prior convictions 28,326
1
9,100
2 to 4
11,637
5 or more
7,601

27.3%
32.5
41.0
49.7

Nature of prior
convictions
No prior convictions 28,326
Misdemeanor only
8,814
Felony
19,524
Violent
7,998
Drug
7,244
Other
4,282

27.3%
25.9
47.3
54.0
48.1
33.3

Criminal justice
status at arrest
Not under supervision 39,015
Pretrial release
3,219
2,853
Probation
Parole/supervised
release
1,871
9,705
Other

28.4%
39.4
38.6
58.5
48.6

*Includes defendants for whom specific
characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the
U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

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Table 5. Defendants ordered
detained by U.S. district courts,
by community ties, 1996

Characteristic

Defendants in U.S.
district court
Percent ordered
Number detained

Total*

56,664

34.0%

Citizenship
U.S. citizen
Noncitizen

38,158
15,872

25.9%
52.7

Residence status
Own
Renting
No contribution
Homeless
Other

10,254
18,963
11,256
634
5,109

16.5%
30.9
38.2
63.6
40.8

Time in area
Transient
Less than 1 year
1 to 3 years
3 to 5 years
More than 5 years

8,468
13,613
6,669
2,769
13,226

51.8%
37.0
31.5
29.7
27.3

Marital status
Single
17,730
Married
16,273
Common-law
4,142
Previously married
9,341

36.2%
25.8
40.5
28.5

Employment status
Employed
26,362
Unemployed
21,139

25.3%
39.1

*Includes defendants for whom specific
characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the
U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

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*18 U.S.C. § 3152-3155.

8 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

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Table 6. Defendants ordered detained
by U.S. district courts, by selected
demographic characteristics, 1996

Characteristic
Total*

Defendants in U.S.
district court
Percent ordered
Number detained
56,664

34.0%

Race/ethnicity
White
Black
Hispanic
Other

18,871
14,495
20,042
2,788

19.3%
35.9
46.7
32.8

Sex
Male
Female

47,683
8,909

37.3%
16.2

Education
Less than
high school
High school
Some college
College graduate

18,620
13,894
9,463
4,068

40.5%
29.3
22.1
14.6

Age
Under 21 years
2,803
21-30 years
18,828
31-40 years
14,596
41 years or older 10,976

40.3%
43.3
41.0
31.5

*Includes defendants for whom specific
characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the
U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file 1996.

y æåø EHFDXVH WKH FXUUHQW RIIHQVH
ZDV D VHULRXV GUXJ RIIHQVH RU EHFDXVH
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y ëëø EHFDXVH DQ RIIHQVH ZDV
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Percent of defendants w ith a prior arrest, by
number of prior arrests and race and ethnicity, 1996

2I WKRVH GHIHQGDQWV SUHVXPHG WR SRVH
D SUHWULDO ULVNñ åèø ZHUH RUGHUHG
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Race/ethnicity

'HPRJUDSKLF FKDUDFWHULVWLFV

1

2 to 4

6

18 U.S.C. § 3142(e).

5 or more
prior arrests

White
Black
Hispanic
Other
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Percent of defendants
Note: Includes defendants pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142 (e); does not include defendants
detained because they did not post the required bail.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

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Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

9

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WKDQ ROGHU GHIHQGDQWV WR EH GHWDLQHGï
$ERXW éíø RI WKRVH XQGHU WKH DJH RI
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RI WKRVH ZLWK VRPH FROOHJHâ DQG
ìéïçø RI WKRVH ZLWK D FROOHJH GHJUHHï

Percent of defendants w ith a prior felony conv iction, by
type of felony offense charged and race and ethnicity, 1996
Race/ethnicity
Drug

Violent

Other

White
Black
Hispanic
Other
0%

10%

20%

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UDFLDOîHWKQLF JURXSV ZDV LQIOXHQFHG
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PLQRULW\ GHIHQGDQWV ZHUH PRUH OLNHO\
WR EH FKDUDFWHUL]HG E\ WKHVH VWDWXWRU\
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UDWH IRU +LVSDQLF GHIHQGDQWV ZDV DWWULEð
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õçäïåøô RI +LVSDQLFV ZKR ZHUH LGHQWLð
ILHG DV QRQFLWL]HQV õQRW VKRZQ LQ WDEOHôï
$GGLWLRQDOO\ñ çéïëø RI +LVSDQLFV
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Total*

50%

)LJXUH æ

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JUHDWHU SURSRUWLRQ RI EODFN DQG +LVSDQð
LF GHIHQGDQWV ZHUH FKDUJHG ZLWK D GUXJ
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GHIHQGDQWV DQG éëïèø RI +LVSDQLF
GHIHQGDQWV ZHUH FKDUJHG ZLWK D GUXJ
WUDIILFNLQJ RIIHQVH FRPSDUHG WR ëèïèø
RI ZKLWH GHIHQGDQWV õWDEOH æôï :KLWH
GHIHQGDQWV ZHUH PRUH OLNHO\ WR EH
FKDUJHG ZLWK SURSHUW\ RU UHJXODWRU\
RIIHQVHVã éêïëø RI ZKLWH GHIHQGDQWV
ZHUH FKDUJHG ZLWK D SURSHUW\ RIIHQVH
RU D UHJXODWRU\ RIIHQVH FRPSDUHG WR

Defendants charged in U.S. district court
Percent
Race/ethnicity
Total
White
Black Hispanic Other
Number
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

100.0%

56,664

100.0%

3,672

6.5%

7.4%

8.3%

1.9%

24.3%

Property offenses
Fraudulent
Other

14,046
10,807
3,239

24.8%
19.1
5.7

38.1%
30.1
8.0

26.8%
19.2
7.6

9.7%
7.9
1.8

32.9%
24.6
8.3

Drug offenses
Trafficking
Possession and other

22,288
20,107
2,181

39.4%
35.5
3.8

29.4%
25.5
3.9

47.9%
43.6
4.3

46.3%
42.5
3.8

15.5%
13.8
1.7

Public-order offenses
Regulatory
Other
Immigration
Weapons
Other

31,100
1,696
14,702
7,972
2,496
4,234

29.0%
3.0
26.0
14.1
4.4
7.5

24.7%
5.1
19.6
1.5
5.4
12.7

16.8%
1.9
14.9
1.9
7.0
6.0

42.1%
1.8
40.3
35.7
1.7
2.9

26.0%
3.0
23.0
8.5
4.6
10.3

Violent offenses

40%

Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

Table 7. Defendants charged in U.S. district court,
by most serious offense and race and ethnicity, 1996

Characteristic

30%

Percent of defendants

*Includes defendants for whom specific characteristics are unknown.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services
data file 1996.

10 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

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Methodology

The offense categories used in this
report are based primarily on the
Data Sources
offense codes established by the
Administrative Office of the U.S.
The source of the data for tables that
Courts. The Compendium of Federal
describe Federal defendants is the BJS Justice Statistics provides a detailed
description of the United States CrimiFederal Justice Statistics Program
nal Code titles and sections included in
(FJSP) database (ICPSR 9296). The
each offense category.
FJSP database is presently constructed from source files provided by the
The forms of pretrial release reported
Executive Office for the United States
are reported as mutually exclusive
Attorneys, the Administrative Office
categories. In practice, however, a
of the U.S. Courts, the United States
single defendant may be release on
Sentencing Commission, and the
more than one form, or condition, of
Federal Bureau of Prisons. The
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts pretrial release. For example, a defendant released on his or her own
also maintains data collected by the
recognizance may also be required
Federal pretrial services agencies.
to submit to periodic drug testing while
on release. Where a defendant was
The pretrial services agency data
released on multiple forms of release,
describes defendants charged with a
the form of release selected for
Federal offense and interviewed and
investigated by Federal pretrial service reporting purposes was selected
according to the following hierarchy:
officers. Data tabulations, except
personal recognizance, unsecured
where otherwise indicated, were
prepared from BJS or contractor analy- bond, bail, restrictive conditions only.
sis of the source agency datasets.
Unlike other BJS publications describ(Because the District of Columbia
ing the Federal criminal justice system,
operates its pretrial services agency
separate from the Administrative Office this report describes pretrial release
of the U.S. Courts, data describing de- and detention decisions made by the
fendants prosecuted in the U.S. district court either initially & at initial appearance & or following a pretrial detention
court for the District of Columbia but
processed by the D.C. pretrial services hearing held pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §
3142(f). This report focuses on the
agency are not included in this
incoming cohort to Federal pretrial
analysis.)
sentences. In addition, the events
reported reflect those events occurring
Statistics describing State defendants
is BJS's State Court Processing Statis- at the initial appearance or at detention
hearing. Events occurring after these
tics Program (SCPS) & formerly the
National Pretrial Reporting Program.
proceedings such as the posting of bail
The SCPS program collects data
are not reported.
describing the processing of felony
defendants in the courts of the Nation’s
75 most populous counties. For a
complete description of the SCPS
program, see Felony Defendants in
Large Urban Counties, 1994, BJS
report (NCJ-164616).

By contrast, in the Compendium of
Federal Justice Statistics, statistics
describing defendants released or
detained reflect the entire pretrial
period. A released defendant may
have been subsequently detained due
to misconduct. In Compendium tabulations, these defendants are included in
both counts of defendants released
and defendants detained pending trial.
In addition, the Compendium reports
statistics describing the exiting cohort
& those defendants whose cases were
terminated by the Federal courts.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics
is the statistical agency of the
U.S. Department of Justice.
Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D., is the
director.
BJS Special Reports address a
specific topic in depth from one or
more datasets that cover many
topics.
John Scalia, BJS statistician, wrote
this report. William J. Sabol of the
Urban Institute provided statistical
review. Priscilla Middleton, assisted
by Tom Hester, produced and edited
this report. Marilyn Marbrook supervised Yvonne Boston in preparing the
document for printing and for the
Internet.
February 1999, NCJ 168635

Data from the Federal Justice
Statistics Program (ICPSR 9296) can
be obtained from the National
Archive of Criminal Justice Data at
the University of Michigan, 1-800999-0960. The archive, as well as
the report and supporting documentation, is also accessible through
the BJS Web site:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs

Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

11

Appendix table A1. Percent of defendants released or detained pending trial, by form of pretrial release
or detention and Federal judicial district, 1996

Federal
judicial district

Number of
defendants

Ordered
detained
by court

Total

Form of pretrial release
Bail
Unsecure
Released, Detained, bail Restrictive Personal
bail made not made
conditions recognizance d bond

56,664

34.0%

17.1%

Alabama, Middle
Alabama, Northern
Alabama, Southern
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas, Eastern
Arkansas, Western
California, Central
California, Eastern
California, Northern

179
415
389
159
3,461
325
115
2,289
785
920

27.4
3.1
38.8
28.3
59.8
8.6
13.0
56.9
74.6
27.1

1.1
5.3
0.5
5.0
2.2
0.3
3.5
21.2
9.7
9.0

1.1
5.1
0.5
2.5
2.0
0.3
2.6
15.9
6.1
7.6

0
0.2
0
2.5
0.2
0
0.9
5.4
3.6
1.4

California, Southern
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida, Middle
Florida, Northern
Florida, Southern
Georgia, Middle
Georgia, Northern

3,310
513
301
100
n/a
1,343
349
2,742
438
688

9.6
49.9
35.5
37.0
-40.7
39.0
35.7
4.6
34.6

63.2
7.0
8.3
4.0
-14.1
3.7
41.1
20.1
28.3

3.5
6.4
8.3
3.0
-6.9
3.4
9.6
15.3
8.6

Georgia, Southern
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois, Central
Illinois, Northern
Illinois, Southern
Indiana, Northern
Indiana, Southern
Iowa, Northern

230
116
352
139
243
544
230
223
245
205

8.7
23.3
52.0
29.5
48.1
21.9
40.9
16.1
27.3
36.1

31.7
1.7
5.7
2.2
0.8
9.9
8.3
2.7
0
0.5

Iowa, Southern
Kansas
Kentucky, Eastern
Kentucky, Western
Louisiana, Eastern
Louisiana, Middle
Louisiana, Western
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts

222
345
331
279
463
87
260
179
616
638

25.7
40.6
25.1
31.9
45.6
24.1
34.6
22.9
36.9
40.4

1,327
320
338
179
268
460
467
288
249
855

16.8
15.9
39.6
9.5
21.6
25.7
24.4
28.1
61.0
35.8

Total

Michigan, Eastern
Michigan, Western
Minnesota
Mississippi, Northern
Mississippi, Southern
Missouri, Eastern
Missouri, Western
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada

12 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

6.6%

10.4%

9.6%

14.3%

25.1%

5.0
26.0
8.0
30.8
21.1
19.4
38.3
0.7
1.0
22.3

0.6
0.5
46.5
19.5
12.3
69.8
0.9
0.5
8.0
20.8

65.9
65.1
6.2
16.4
4.7
1.8
44.3
20.7
6.6
20.9

59.6
0.6
0.0
1.0
-7.3
0.3
31.5
4.8
19.8

7.1
0.2
3.7
13.0
-7.7
11.7
4.3
6.6
4.7

0.9
16.2
9.6
29.0
-4.8
22.6
0.1
45.2
0.4

19.2
26.7
42.9
17.0
-32.8
22.9
18.7
23.5
32.0

13.9
1.7
5.1
2.2
0.8
8.5
6.1
2.7
0
0.5

17.8
0
0.6
0
0
1.5
2.2
0
0
0

20.0
8.6
5.1
4.3
1.6
11.4
13.9
7.6
28.2
16.6

19.1
52.6
2.0
42.4
7.0
1.5
1.3
16.1
38.0
34.6

20.4
13.8
35.2
21.6
42.4
55.3
35.7
57.4
6.5
12.2

1.4
6.7
10.0
2.2
19.2
9.2
5.0
18.4
7.3
3.0

0.9
5.5
4.2
1.1
5.2
5.7
3.5
16.2
7.1
3.0

0.5
1.2
5.7
1.1
14.0
3.4
1.5
2.2
0.2
0

23.4
2.9
2.1
3.2
0.2
2.3
3.1
22.3
3.4
13.6

0
2.9
7.9
4.3
0
57.5
23.8
7.8
44.3
14.6

49.5
47.0
55.0
58.4
35.0
6.9
33.5
28.5
8.1
28.4

0.7
3.4
0.6
33.0
12.7
32.4
4.1
1.0
0.8
1.3

0.6
1.9
0.6
26.3
9.0
15.4
2.1
1.0
0.8
0.9

0.1
1.6
0
6.7
3.7
17.0
1.9
0
0
0.4

5.7
8.4
0.6
15.6
14.2
13.5
8.4
4.9
2.8
0.6

3.9
3.4
3.8
2.2
7.1
3.3
22.3
65.3
31.7
60.9

72.9
68.8
55.3
39.7
44.4
25.2
40.9
0.7
3.6
1.4

Appendix table A1. Percent of defendants released or detained pending trial, by form of pretrial release
or detention and Federal judicial district, 1996 (cont.)

Federal
judicial district
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York, Eastern
New York, Northern
New York, Southern
New York, Western
North Carolina, Eastern
North Carolina, Middle
North Carolina, Western

Number of
defendants
183
1,131
984
1,466
465
1,529
503
913
238
552

Ordered
detained
by court
43.2%
27.3
62.0
49.9
46.5
33.0
14.5
26.8
41.6
36.2

Total
0.5%
15.2
4.9
10.0
14.6
18.7
26.4
1.3
11.3
0.4

Form of pretrial release
Bail
Released, Detained, bail Restrictive Personal
Unsecured
bail made not made
conditions recognizance bond
0.5%
8.1
4.0
8.8
10.8
12.5
11.9
1.2
9.2
0.4

0
7.1
0.9
1.2
3.9
6.2
14.5
0.1
2.1
0

2.7%
9.8
1.3
0.0
0.4
3.9
8.9
2.8
9.2
11.1

9.3%
9.5
18.0
11.6
21.9
14.6
26.8
45.8
31.5
0

44.3%
38.1
13.8
28.6
16.6
29.8
23.3
23.2
6.3
52.4

North Dakota
Northern Marinas Islands
Ohio, Northern
Ohio, Southern
Oklahoma, Eastern
Oklahoma, Northern
Oklahoma, Western
Oregon
Pennsylvania, Eastern
Pennsylvania, Middle

230
27
705
562
69
261
415
659
898
338

28.3

1.3

0.9

0.4

21.3

45.2

3.9

33.3
25.8
20.5
7.2
9.6
23.4
73.4
36.2
16.0

14.8
8.8
7.8
2.9
5.0
3.6
0.2
10.9
3.8

14.8
5.1
5.5
1.4
4.6
1.9
0.2
10.7
3.0

0
3.7
2.3
1.4
0.4
1.7
0
0.2
0.9

11.1
8.9
3.2
23.2
29.1
2.2
0
1.4
28.7

7.4
1.4
53.0
1.4
6.1
65.1
26.4
2.2
35.2

33.3
55.0
15.5
65.2
50.2
5.8
0
49.2
16.3

Pennsylvania, Western
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee, Eastern
Tennessee, Middle
Tennessee, Western
Texas, Eastern
Texas, Northern

236
614
102
996
389
332
209
305
524
987

17.8
30.9
57.8
10.6
32.6
21.7
13.4
31.8
41.6
19.5

6.4
29.3
20.6
24.0
0.3
11.4
7.7
35.4
3.4
17.1

4.2
18.2
9.8
3.9
0.3
9.6
7.7
35.1
2.1
7.3

2.1
11.1
10.8
20.1
0
1.8
0
0.3
1.3
9.8

3.4
23.8
0
16.1
31.9
16.9
21.5
0
4.6
23.5

6.4
8.0
0
1.3
21.1
13.6
7.7
25.2
16.2
25.4

66.1
8.0
21.6
48.0
14.1
36.4
49.8
7.5
34.2
14.5

Texas, Southern
Texas, Western
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virginia, Eastern
Virginia, Western
Washington, Eastern
Washington, Western
West Virginia, Northern

2,830
3,078
267
111
367
1,406
404
266
623
165

22.0
37.6
58.4
19.8
74.9
23.2
20.8
60.5
38.4
18.2

44.9
30.0
1.1
8.1
9.5
1.7
13.4
9.8
8.0
3.0

11.0
10.6
1.1
6.3
8.4
1.3
6.7
6.0
7.9
2.4

33.9
19.3
0.0
1.8
1.1
0.4
6.7
3.8
0.2
0.6

15.6
12.8
2.6
21.6
4.1
10.7
18.6
0
0.5
11.5

0.7
0.8
34.1
36.9
1.1
44.2
14.1
27.8
50.7
2.4

16.7
18.7
3.7
13.5
10.4
20.1
33.2
1.9
2.4
64.8

West Virginia, Southern
Wisconsin, Eastern
Wisconsin, Western
Wyoming

254
329
98
125

20.9
23.4
42.9
43.2

0
7.0
0
4.0

0
4.6
0
3.2

0
2.4
0
0.8

18.9
25.5
2.0
0.8

5.9
35.0
53.1
4.0

54.3
9.1
2.0
48.0

Note: The U.S. district court for the District of Columbia does not participate
in the Federal pretrial services program; pretrial services for Federal defendants
are provided by the local pretrial services agency for the District of Columbia.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file,
1996.

Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

13

Appendix table A2. Most serious offense charged, by Federal judicial district, 1996
Federal
judicial district
Total

Number of
defendants

Ordered
detained
by court

56,664

34.0%

Violent
6.5%

Property

Most serious offense charged
Public-order
Drugs
Regulatory
Weapons Immigration

24.9%

39.5%

3.0%

4.4%

14.1%

Other
7.5%

Alabama, Middle
Alabama, Northern
Alabama, Southern
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas, Eastern
Arkansas, Western
California, Central
California, Eastern
California, Northern

179
415
389
159
3,461
325
115
2,289
785
920

27.4
3.1
38.8
28.3
59.8
8.6
13.0
56.9
74.6
27.1

6.7
10.8
4.1
5.7
6.5
7.1
8.7
13.3
8.3
8.3

21.8
32.0
14.1
30.2
6.2
28.0
23.5
35.1
11.4
30.7

59.8
36.9
69.2
18.9
30.9
51.1
41.7
26.4
33.2
21.1

3.4
1.9
2.3
17.0
1.2
0.6
2.6
2.9
2.2
6.0

5.0
4.1
6.2
3.1
2.0
8.0
9.6
2.6
3.6
3.6

0
1.2
0
6.9
51.2
2.8
12.2
7.4
34.5
23.2

3.4
13.0
4.1
18.2
2.0
2.5
1.7
12.4
6.7
7.3

California, Southern
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida, Middle
Florida, Northern
Florida, Southern
Georgia, Middle
Georgia, Northern

3,310
513
301
100
n/a
1,343
349
2,742
438
688

9.6
49.9
35.5
37.0
-40.7
39.0
35.7
4.6
34.6

2.8
6.0
7.3
7.0
-7.0
7.2
3.0
2.7
7.1

5.7
24.8
27.9
35.0
-27.7
23.2
22.3
31.7
26.0

38.9
48.5
28.2
24.0
-44.2
50.1
55.2
34.7
44.2

1.8
0.8
5.0
1.0
-3.2
0.9
3.8
1.4
4.7

0.5
5.7
11.6
16.0
-4.3
10.6
4.7
1.1
7.0

48.6
10.5
4.3
10.0
-4.7
1.1
5.6
0.9
8.1

1.6
3.7
15.6
7.0
-9.0
6.9
5.4
27.4
2.9

Georgia, Southern
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois, Central
Illinois, Northern
Illinois, Southern
Indiana, Northern
Indiana, Southern
Iowa, Northern

230
116
352
139
243
544
230
223
245
205

8.7
23.3
52.0
29.5
48.1
21.9
40.9
16.1
27.3
36.1

13.2
0
12.8
19.4
5.3
13.6
4.3
6.8
7.1
0.5

24.1
35.3
29.0
29.5
21.4
46.7
11.7
45.7
39.4
17.1

42.5
35.3
41.5
18.7
49.8
22.6
64.3
16.3
25.3
57.1

2.2
1.7
0.9
13.7
0.4
3.5
4.8
4.1
4.1
1.5

3.9
17.2
1.7
7.9
11.1
2.0
9.6
7.7
10.8
7.8

2.2
6.9
9.7
4.3
4.9
2.0
0.9
0
0.8
13.7

11.8
3.4
4.5
6.5
7.0
9.6
4.3
19.5
12.4
2.4

Iowa, Southern
Kansas
Kentucky, Eastern
Kentucky, Western
Louisiana, Eastern
Louisiana, Middle
Louisiana, Western
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts

222
345
331
279
463
87
260
179
616
638

25.7
40.6
25.1
31.9
45.6
24.1
34.6
22.9
36.9
40.4

2.7
15.1
4.2
7.5
3.7
0
2.7
8.4
9.3
5.2

12.2
22.1
25.7
34.1
31.6
42.5
36.4
27.5
28.8
24.3

63.1
41.9
57.1
34.1
44.8
24.1
32.6
38.8
31.9
44.1

0.5
2.0
4.2
1.4
2.8
12.6
7.0
2.2
4.9
5.7

8.6
6.7
3.9
5.7
4.3
3.4
5.4
16.3
11.3
7.8

7.2
2.3
1.2
3.2
3.0
12.6
4.3
3.4
3.4
3.0

5.9
9.9
3.6
14.0
9.7
4.6
11.6
3.4
10.5
9.9

1,327
320
338
179
268
460
467
288
249
855

16.8
15.9
39.6
9.5
21.6
25.7
24.4
28.1
61.0
35.8

6.4
7.5
11.8
8.4
8.6
5.4
3.9
18.5
5.6
9.0

39.8
38.1
29.9
34.8
28.0
26.1
26.5
26.1
28.1
49.6

32.6
31.9
39.9
42.1
36.2
46.6
51.2
34.8
41.0
18.8

2.8
4.4
3.8
2.8
9.7
7.2
3.5
1.8
0.4
3.5

9.1
3.4
5.9
7.3
3.4
9.6
5.2
9.4
8.0
2.6

1.7
4.4
3.6
0
2.2
0.4
0.7
3.6
12.0
2.4

7.6
10.3
5.0
4.5
11.9
4.6
9.1
5.8
4.8
14.2

Michigan, Eastern
Michigan, Western
Minnesota
Mississippi, Northern
Mississippi, Southern
Missouri, Eastern
Missouri, Western
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada

14 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

Appendix table A2. Most serious offense charged, by Federal judicial district, 1996 (cont.)
Federal
judicial district
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York, Eastern
New York, Northern
New York, Southern
New York, Western
North Carolina, Eastern
North Carolina, Middle
North Carolina, Western

Number of
defendants
183
1,131
984
1,466
465
1,529
503
913
238
552

Ordered
detained
by court Violent

Property

Most serious offense charged
Public-order
Immigration
Drugs
Regulatory Weapons

Other

43.2%
27.3
62.0
49.9
46.5
33.0
14.5
26.8
41.6
36.2

5.5%
6.7
15.2
2.6
3.4
6.9
7.8
6.3
6.7
8.2

22.4%
41.1
6.0
29.3
17.2
40.3
29.5
35.1
30.3
25.4

60.7%
30.1
46.4
48.6
56.1
32.9
41.3
34.0
47.9
57.2

1.6%
7.0
0.4
3.8
2.6
1.9
3.2
0.9
2.5
1.1

2.2%
2.7
2.1
2.3
1.3
4.2
3.4
3.2
3.8
2.7

1.6%
1.4
26.0
4.0
10.5
3.2
9.6
0.2
0.8
0.7

6.0%
11.0
3.8
9.3
8.8
10.6
5.2
20.3
8.0
4.7

North Dakota
Northern Marinas Islands
Ohio, Northern
Ohio, Southern
Oklahoma, Eastern
Oklahoma, Northern
Oklahoma, Western
Oregon
Pennsylvania, Eastern
Pennsylvania, Middle

230
27
705
562
69
261
415
659
898
338

28.3
33.3
25.8
20.5
7.2
9.6
23.4
73.4
36.2
16.0

19.9
0
6.5
4.3
10.1
6.1
5.6
12.1
6.8
8.0

21.3
25.9
37.0
31.8
39.1
42.9
28.5
12.4
39.2
26.6

16.2
70.4
33.5
30.5
34.8
24.5
43.2
27.6
34.4
35.2

3.7
0
4.3
2.0
5.8
5.0
1.0
2.0
2.8
1.5

8.8
3.7
8.8
3.6
7.2
4.2
3.6
5.6
5.0
6.2

26.9
0
1.0
0.9
0
1.1
1.9
35.4
3.2
2.7

3.2
0
8.9
27.0
2.9
16.1
16.2
4.9
8.6
19.8

Pennsylvania, Western
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee, Eastern
Tennessee, Middle
Tennessee, Western
Texas, Eastern
Texas, Northern

236
614
102
996
389
332
209
305
524
987

17.8
30.9
57.8
10.6
32.6
21.7
13.4
31.8
41.6
19.5

6.4
4.2
2.0
6.6
40.3
7.6
8.2
4.9
4.2
5.3

45.1
22.6
34.3
31.6
24.3
24.8
34.1
28.5
21.4
39.3

32.3
54.4
42.2
46.1
13.4
51.8
40.9
49.8
55.0
36.1

2.6
7.7
2.0
3.4
1.3
2.4
4.8
2.0
1.9
3.0

7.2
2.4
7.8
6.3
6.5
5.5
3.8
6.9
8.2
3.8

0.9
7.8
6.9
0
10.1
0.3
0.5
1.3
3.1
7.5

5.5
0.8
4.9
5.9
4.1
7.6
7.7
6.6
6.3
5.0

Texas, Southern
Texas, Western
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virginia, Eastern
Virginia, Western
Washington, Eastern
Washington, Western
West Virginia, Northern

2,830
3,078
267
111
367
1,406
404
266
623
165

22.0
37.6
58.4
19.8
74.9
23.2
20.8
60.5
38.4
18.2

1.9
1.8
17.9
0
3.0
3.1
5.7
10.5
7.0
2.4

8.4
19.1
22.6
21.6
9.8
34.5
33.1
9.4
26.6
18.2

52.0
39.0
29.0
45.0
14.4
44.9
42.8
38.7
27.6
57.0

1.9
1.6
4.0
3.6
1.6
5.1
3.5
1.5
6.2
3.0

1.6
2.5
7.9
9.9
5.7
3.5
8.0
12.8
5.7
9.1

31.6
27.9
14.7
15.3
64.6
2.7
0.7
22.9
5.7
0

2.7
8.1
4.0
4.5
0.8
6.3
6.2
4.1
21.4
10.3

West Virginia, Southern
Wisconsin, Eastern
Wisconsin, Western
Wyoming

254
329
98
125

20.9
23.4
42.9
43.2

1.2
14.6
8.5
12.5

27.0
29.8
27.7
16.7

48.4
41.9
39.4
45.8

10.3
3.6
6.4
5.0

7.1
6.1
4.3
10.0

0
0.6
0
5.8

6.0
3.3
13.8
4.2

Note: The U.S. district court for the District of Columbia does not participate
in the Federal pretrial services program; pretrial services for Federal defendants
are provided by the local pretrial services agency for the District of Columbia.
Data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services
data file, 1996.

Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

15

Appendix table A3. Selected characteristics of defendants, by Federal judicial district, 1996

Federal
judicial district
Total

Number of
defendants

Ordered Defendant
detained presumptively
by court detained

Characteristics
Recommendation for
detention by 
Pretrial
U.S.
services
Noncitizens
attorney
officer

56,664

34.0%

14.4%

29.4%

47.3%

42.4%

Alabama, Middle
Alabama, Northern
Alabama, Southern
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas, Eastern
Arkansas, Western
California, Central
California, Eastern
California, Northern

179
415
389
159
3,461
325
115
2,289
785
920

27.4
3.1
38.8
28.3
59.8
8.6
13.0
56.9
74.6
27.1

33.5
2.2
35.2
26.4
18.6
3.4
7.0
27.0
29.6
3.7

0
1.5
2.8
19.2
73.7
4.6
20.2
30.9
55.8
43.9

38.0
23.9
55.8
38.4
60.2
24.0
44.3
68.5
88.4
56.5

20.7
22.4
39.3
39.6
27.6
24.6
40.9
59.9
78.7
32.6

California, Southern
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida, Middle
Florida, Northern
Florida, Southern
Georgia, Middle
Georgia, Northern

3,310
513
301
100
n/a
1,343
349
2,742
438
688

9.6
49.9
35.5
37.0
-40.7
39.0
35.7
4.6
34.6

2.0
17.5
27.6
16.0
-27.6
16.0
8.4
0.9
22.1

66.4
35.3
12.8
16.9
-16.3
6.3
44.2
3.9
25.3

19.7
63.5
44.9
54.0
-56.2
53.3
58.6
7.5
49.7

57.6
53.8
32.6
54.0
-42.3
41.8
41.2
9.4
38.2

Georgia, Southern
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois, Central
Illinois, Northern
Illinois, Southern
Indiana, Northern
Indiana, Southern
Iowa, Northern

230
116
352
139
243
544
230
223
245
205

8.7
23.3
52.0
29.5
48.1
21.9
40.9
16.1
27.3
36.1

6.1
2.6
36.9
13.7
24.7
6.8
15.7
8.5
8.2
15.6

3.6
27.0
26.0
11.6
6.8
19.7
3.5
6.4
2.0
26.2

29.1
30.2
68.8
46.0
58.4
40.3
68.7
26.0
49.4
53.2

29.1
23.3
57.1
38.8
43.6
20.8
53.9
21.1
48.6
47.3

Iowa, Southern
Kansas
Kentucky, Eastern
Kentucky, Western
Louisiana, Eastern
Louisiana, Middle
Louisiana, Western
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts

222
345
331
279
463
87
260
179
616
638

25.7
40.6
25.1
31.9
45.6
24.1
34.6
22.9
36.9
40.4

33.3
25.5
2.7
19.4
37.1
12.6
19.6
11.7
24.2
27.9

24.1
9.7
4.9
4.7
11.9
13.8
4.9
6.4
7.4
20.4

59.0
52.2
36.6
36.6
51.2
34.5
42.3
51.4
46.4
63.2

34.2
49.3
31.1
23.7
48.6
31.0
38.1
48.6
32.6
57.1

1,327
320
338
179
268
460
467
288
249
855

16.8
15.9
39.6
9.5
21.6
25.7
24.4
28.1
61.0
35.8

5.9
7.2
0
8.9
7.1
5.4
9.2
19.8
16.1
6.9

6.4
9.4
13.2
0
2.6
2.2
6.3
5.6
25.2
14.1

25.7
29.7
47.6
23.5
37.7
44.8
37.9
32.3
64.3
45.3

22.3
26.6
45.6
18.4
38.8
35.0
26.8
27.8
61.4
39.6

Michigan, Eastern
Michigan, Western
Minnesota
Mississippi, Northern
Mississippi, Southern
Missouri, Eastern
Missouri, Western
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada

16 Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

Appendix table A3. Selected characteristics of defendants, by Federal judicial district, 1996 (cont.)

Federal
judicial district
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York, Eastern
New York, Northern
New York, Southern
New York, Western
North Carolina, Eastern
North Carolina, Middle
North Carolina, Western

Number of
defendants
183
1,131
984
1,466
465
1,529
503
913
238
552

Ordered Defendant
detained presumptively
by court detained

Characteristics
Recommendation for
detention by 
Pretrial
U.S.
services
Noncitizens
attorney
officer

43.2%
27.3
62.0
49.9
46.5
33.0
14.5
26.8
41.6
36.2

46.4%
4.3
8.5
40.1
17.8
12.3
7.4
15.1
33.6
6.0

16.3%
21.3
46.2
44.1
20.5
33.9
20.1
2.7
11.2
1.1

53.0%
39.3
68.7
57.4
52.0
45.5
27.6
31.5
53.4
49.8

47.5%
36.6
62.4
48.3
44.9
33.3
20.5
24.4
44.5
38.4

North Dakota
Northern Marinas Islands
Ohio, Northern
Ohio, Southern
Oklahoma, Eastern
Oklahoma, Northern
Oklahoma, Western
Oregon
Pennsylvania, Eastern
Pennsylvania, Middle

230
27
705
562
69
261
415
659
898
338

28.3
33.3
25.8
20.5
7.2
9.6
23.4
73.4
36.2
16.0

0
3.7
20.6
16.3
15.9
0.4
5.5
3.3
17.1
14.2

31.6
50.0
5.4
3.7
2.9
5.8
11.0
53.1
8.4
11.9

46.5
37.0
35.7
25.3
39.1
38.3
32.5
81.0
41.8
37.6

40.0
11.1
36.2
21.4
31.9
31.8
19.5
73.4
39.8
40.2

Pennsylvania, Western
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee, Eastern
Tennessee, Middle
Tennessee, Western
Texas, Eastern
Texas, Northern

236
614
102
996
389
332
209
305
524
987

17.8
30.9
57.8
10.6
32.6
21.7
13.4
31.8
41.6
19.5

16.1
41.2
39.2
6.0
3.1
19.0
10.5
25.9
32.4
7.0

2.6
30.5
36.6
3.0
13.4
1.8
4.8
11.9
8.0
15.2

28.4
69.2
62.7
26.0
56.3
44.3
44.5
41.6
54.6
40.3

18.6
56.4
56.9
24.2
46.3
39.2
37.3
29.2
41.4
36.7

Texas, Southern
Texas, Western
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virginia, Eastern
Virginia, Western
Washington, Eastern
Washington, Western
West Virginia, Northern

2,830
3,078
267
111
367
1,406
404
266
623
165

22.0
37.6
58.4
19.8
74.9
23.2
20.8
60.5
38.4
18.2

7.8
4.8
16.9
3.6
0.5
18.0
22.0
1.9
19.1
17.0

50.9
55.4
34.5
27.5
73.9
12.1
3.7
41.9
21.0
6.2

38.0
58.1
62.9
45.9
80.9
32.5
41.1
69.5
44.3
25.5

66.2
61.9
53.6
39.6
39.2
22.3
33.9
60.2
43.2
42.9

West Virginia, Southern
Wisconsin, Eastern
Wisconsin, Western
Wyoming

254
329
98
125

20.9
23.4
42.9
43.2

16.5
16.4
38.8
32.8

3.4
9.7
6.2
16.8

42.1
51.4
48.0
51.2

19.4
41.0
48.0
40.0

Note: The U.S. district court for the District of Columbia does not participate
in the Federal pretrial services program; pretrial services for Federal defendants
are provided by the local pretrial services agency for the District of Columbia.
Data Source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, pretrial services data file, 1996.

Federal Pretrial Release and Detention, 1996

17