IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
IN THE MATTER OF: )
) STANDING ORDER
BOND INTERVIEWS IN CRIMINAL )
CASES )
In light of the likely sequester and its effect on the budget, there are certain areas of grave
and imminent concern within the budget. One of those areas of significant concern is the
expenditures resulting from pretrial halfway house placements. It appears to the Court that
difficulties have arisen because of an inadequate opportunity for pretrial services officers to
interview defendants before their initial appearance. These bond interviews are extremely
important to the Court. The information that is obtained by the pretrial services officer is invaluable
to the Court in determining whether a defendant should be detained, released, or placed in a halfway
house.
Upon consideration, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:
(1) The United States Marshals Service shall make all defendants available to the
pretrial services officer at the courthouse 30 minutes prior to their initial appearance.
(2) All defense counsel are hereby notified that if he or she wishes to attend the bond
interview, he or she must make arrangements to be at the courthouse 30 minutes
prior to the initial appearance.
(3) The pretrial services officer is hereby authorized to interview the defendant without
counsel present if counsel is unable to make arrangements to attend the interview.
The pretrial services officer shall not discuss the alleged criminal conduct giving rise
to the charge(s) before the Court or other uncharged conduct unless the defense
attorney is present and consents. The pretrial services officer, however, may gather
information relating to the defendant’s previous criminal convictions.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 28th day of February, 2013.
/s/ Ralph R. Erickson
Ralph R. Erickson, Chief Judge
United States District Court
