Office of Pretrial Services Overview
THE OFFICE OF PRETRIAL SERVICES
The Office of Pretrial Services (PTS) facilitates Own Recognizance (O.R.) releases for pretrial detainees held in jail pending trial. Most newly arrested individuals are interviewed at the time of booking and investigative reports are prepared and presented to judges who make statutory release/detention decisions based on the information provided. (See Penal Code Sections 1318-1320). Individuals may be granted an O.R.P. (Own Recognizance Release Program) release by the judge and be required to make all scheduled court appearances and not violate any laws while the case is pending. The judge also has the option of imposing conditions on an individual’s release and may grant a Supervised Own Recognizance Release Program (S.O.R.P) release from jail. Conditions of release vary according to the particular risks involved in the case and may include drug testing, substance abuse or mental health treatment, domestic violence counseling, and restraining orders.
- Jail Assignment
The Jail Assignment is a 24-hour per day, 7 days per week operation located in the Santa Clara County Main Jail at 150 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA. At the time of booking, Pretrial Services Officers interview detainees arrested on misdemeanor and felony on-view and arrest warrant charges so the judge can make an informed decision whether to detain or release a detainee from custody on their Own Recognizance (O.R)./Supervised Own Recognizance (S.O.R.P.), who are most likely to appear in court as directed and who will not compromise public safety. For those individuals not released, officers assist the reviewing judge in the determination of probable cause for detention and the setting of an individualized bail. - Supervision Assignment
The Pretrial Services Officers will monitor individuals who are released on Supervised O.R. Program release with specific court ordered conditions and will monitor compliance during the adjudication process. Pretrial Services Officers refer clients to appropriate services within the community (i.e., substance abuse treatment or domestic violence counseling) for the purpose of intervention that will assist the individual in successfully completing the period of pretrial supervision. Performance reports are provided to the judges on an as needed basis or if requested by the Court. The court will then determine appropriate sanctions and/or custody status. - Court Assignment
The Pretrial Services Officers provide investigative reports to the Court at the time of a detainee’s first court appearance which is their Arraignment hearing. These reports include a risk assessment, criminal history information, pending cases, bench warrants and the scheduled bail amount in order to assist the judge in making an informed decision to release a detainee from jail or set an individualized bail amount. At Arraignment hearings, Pretrial Services Officers appear as needed to present the reports, conduct follow-up investigations, and answer any questions the judge or attorneys may have about the individual. - Drug Testing Assignment
Pretrial Services provides urine drug testing as a part of the supervision of defendants released on Supervised O.R. Drug testing results are used as a means to monitor the pretrial conduct of released defendants in order to deter drug use and determine if individuals are in compliance with court-ordered release conditions. Drug testing is arranged by the assigned supervision officer and strict chain-of-custody procedures are followed by the community workers conducting the test.
DIRECTOR
Matthew Fisk has enjoyed serving in rewarding entry-level through executive-level roles in; counseling, court interpretation, law enforcement, pretrial, probation, therapeutic courts, reentry services and court administration. Within pretrial justice, he has worked hands-on as a pretrial screener, in-field officer (e-monitoring) pretrial administrator and pretrial reform research coordinator.
While working, he studied and helped to raise his dear family, eventually earning a Master of Justice Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and National Court Management Certification at the National Judicial College, the University of Nevada and the National Center for State Courts, respectively.
Matt is devoted to leading both his colleagues and clients to success. He strives for a harmonious workplace, promoting inclusion, trust and collaboration and focusing on shared strengths and priorities. He emphasizes the vital leveraging of evidence-based practices with cross-disciplinary collaboration for enhanced performance and measurable improvements. In his spare time, Matt delights in family, fitness, cuisine, fine art and languages.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Michaelene Reagan began her career as a student intern with Pretrial Services in 1995. After her internship, she worked extra help in the Jail Unit and then became a coded employee in 1997. She progressed through the Pretrial Services Officer positions I/II/III, and promoted to Supervisor. She has worked in all aspects and all locations of Pretrial Services. She graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/criminology, and a minor in Criminal Justice Administration. Ms. Reagan is a member of the California Association of Pretrial Services. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family. She is an avid sports fan, including attending and traveling to other stadiums to watch her favorite teams.
SUPERVISORS
Supervising Pretrial Services Officer
Fernando Quinones started with the County of Santa Clara Office of Pretrial Services in July 1995. He received a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from San Jose State University in December 1993 and has prior work experience with the United States Pretrial Services. He has worked in all facets of Pretrial Services including the Jail, Court, and Supervision Units. Since becoming a supervisor in 2015, he has managed the Supervision Unit, Jail Unit, and Drug Testing Station. Mr. Quinones was the co-head in implementing random drug testing for Pretrial Services clients. He was also responsible for creating and developing the current Proposition 36 random drug testing program.
Supervising Pretrial Services Officer
Chirag Mistry has been with Pretrial Services since 1999. He graduated from San Jose State University with a Master's Degree in Administration of Justice in 2001. Mr. Mistry has had rotating assignments in the Jail, Court and Supervision Units and has worked on numerous process changes. He recently worked on developing electronic reports to provide to Pretrial stakeholders. Mr. Mistry has been a County of Santa Clara Employee Excellence Award recipient and currently oversees the Court Unit.
Supervising Pretrial Services Officer
Andrew Ball has been with Pretrial Services since 2004. He graduated from San Jose State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice. During his time with Pretrial Services, Mr. Ball has worked in all aspects of the department and for the last several years has been supervising cases involving Electronic Monitoring. In this free time, Mr. Ball enjoys spending time with his family.
Supervising Pretrial Services Officer
Stephanie Garcia brings over twenty-one years of experience within the Criminal Justice field to include Probation, Investigations and Pretrial Services. She began her career assigned to the Courts, and over her career has supervised high risk offenders, Domestic Violence cases and the Electronic Monitoring Program. She is passionate about working in the people serving profession and with a population to effect change for both the clients and the community. She graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. She has been with Pretrial Services since 2019, working her way through the Pretrial Services Officer positions before promoting to Supervisor. She enjoys spending her free time hosting and attending events with her family and friends.
Pretrial Services Officers
Pretrial Services Officers are assigned in teams to either the Jail Unit or Office Unit. The officers are well-educated with all the officers having bachelor’s degrees (most in the Administration of Justice), and several have a master’s degree in Criminal Justice or Public Administration. The office employs bilingual officers with Spanish and Vietnamese language capability. Some officers also have specialized training in domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health, depending upon their area of interest.