Criminal Justice Coordinating Council hears update on pretrial services and grant funding

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council met virtually at 02:09 on March 12, 2026, and received an update on the county's pretrial services program, its recent grant funding, and reporting obligations. Steven Stocks called the meeting to order. Sheriff Wiggins reported that the council had secured another CCJJ grant to fund the pretrial deputy position for 2026.

Sheriff Wiggins said he had met with Deputy DeLou, the pretrial services deputy, who is managing about 30 people on his caseload. "We did secure another grant from the CCJJ to fund the pretrial service deputy position again for this year," the sheriff said, adding, "I think they gave us, like, a $100,000. Don't quote me on that," and noting the award this year covered mainly salary rather than vehicle or equipment costs.

A judge on the panel cautioned about the legal limits of pretrial supervision. "Pretrial services is not probation," the judge said, explaining that modifying release conditions generally requires a motion and a hearing and that deputies cannot unilaterally revoke or change pretrial release without due process.

Council members and the sheriff's office framed the program as reducing unnecessary jailings. The sheriff's office said the county jail's maximum capacity is roughly 60 inmates and that, without the pretrial deputy's work, the jail would likely exceed that capacity; current typical counts were described in the low-to-mid 40s. Participants said the program helps remind people of court dates and pursue orders to show cause rather than immediately returning individuals to custody for some violations.

On funding details, the sheriff said this year's CCJJ award was smaller than last year's and did not include vehicle payments or some equipment previously covered; as a result, the current award appears to be primarily a salary allocation. The sheriff and staff confirmed that the county must submit reporting for the grant and that, when reapplying, a letter of support from the council could be useful though the grant was approved previously without one.

There were no formal motions or votes during the meeting. The council discussed scheduling its next meeting for June (tentatively June 18) and agreed to circulate notice if urgent matters arise before then. Steven Stocks adjourned the meeting at 02:19.

This article is based on the council meeting's discussion and statements by meeting participants; where speakers used approximate figures (for example, a reported grant amount), the article notes those approximations.