On any given day in Alameda County, an estimated 3,000 people are out of jail awaiting trial on a misdemeanor or felony charge. Many of these people lack access to basic resources, which can be a risk factor leading to rearrest, failure to appear in court, and ultimately, more involvement in the criminal justice system.
A new court program aims to reverse this trend.
The Alameda County Superior Court on Monday launched an expanded pretrial services program that links defendants with case managers and access to resources such as housing referrals, job opportunities, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and anger management programs — all at no cost to participants…