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Once the prosecutor files an indictment against you, you will appear before the magistrate judge to be arraigned on the formal charges. For some people, their initial appearance and their arraignment will happen on the same day if they are arrested after an indictment is filed. You will be asked to read and sign a statement of your constitutional rights. The magistrate judge will also read a statement of your constitutional rights. The magistrate judge will ask if you understand what the prosecutor claims that […]..

The CASA Program is an alternative to traditional prosecution and sentencing that seeks to address some of the primary causes of criminal offenses – substance use disorders, mental health issues, and deficient life-skills. Thus, to qualify for application to CASA, a client must demonstrate that he or she has had an alcohol or drug problem, suffers from a mental health issue (including depression and anxiety disorders), or has deficient life-skills issues (particularly for the younger applicants). Of particular importance is the applicant’s ability to show […]..

Any defense counsel may apply on behalf of their client by submitting a letter to the CASA team closest to where the applicant may reside, regardless of where the case has been filed.  It is suggested that letters cover the following items: Client’s personal history Role in the offense Prior criminal history Motivations for his or her involvement in the current offense Substance abuse, mental health and/or life-skills issues that may be addressed in CASA (including restorative justice and second chance arguments) Any and all […]..

CASA team members – representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), the Federal Public Defenders Office (FDO) and the U.S. Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) – for each court meet regularly to review and discuss applications.  While all team members have a right to accept or reject a prospective applicant, the U.S. Attorney’s Office makes the final decision regarding admission and track designation.   If rejected by the CASA USAO representatives, the only recourse is a request for reconsideration with the USAO Criminal Chief. In some cases […]..

Track 1 will lead to a complete dismissal of all charges with prejudice (cannot be brought again).  Because that client will not be sentenced, he or she will not suffer a federal felony conviction for this case.  All Track 1 participants should nonetheless know that the arrest, filing of charges, conditions of release bond, CASA guilty plea agreement and guilty plea, all program court appearances and the order of dismissal of all charges will be a matter of public record.  In cases where restitution is […]..

All participants remain on their pretrial release bond during the CASA Program.  A standard condition of all bonds is to obey all laws, not use or possess controlled substances or alcohol, and report as directed to the CASA PSA officer. For many, this will also include drug testing, drug and/or mental health counseling and treatment.  Drug treatment can range from residential, to intensive outpatient and periodic individual and/or group counseling sessions, and twelve step fellowship meetings.  Other mental health counseling services may also be scheduled […]..

Yes!  Although the most obvious incentive is a dismissal or a sentence of probation rather than prison, program participants are also provided with incentives in the form of gift cards and limited Second Chance Act support for school or work-related expenses when available. Depending on the nature of the program violation, sanctions may range from a verbal reprimand from the court and team, additional assignments and requirements, a short term of “flash incarceration”, or the involuntary termination from CASA and the imposition of sentence as […]..

Yes!  If someone commits a new offense, or otherwise seriously violates the terms and conditions of their release bond or of the CASA program, he or she may be terminated from the program after a hearing.  If terminated, the client stands to be sentenced as may be stated in the plea agreement including a sentence of imprisonment as per the guidelines...

Please contact the Collaborative Courts Supervising Attorney Raul Ayala (raul_ayala@fd.org) at (213) 894-7331 or Paralegal Joyce Delaney (joyce_delaney@fd.org) at (213) 894-5058...

A material witness is a person whose testimony is material to a criminal proceeding, and where it appears from an affidavit filed by a party that this person’s presence for testimony cannot be secured by a subpoena. A judge can order the person arrested, but also order that s/he be released from custody if certain conditions are met. 18 USC section 3144...