Pre-Trial Intervention

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Definition - What does Pre-Trial Intervention mean?

A pre-trial intervention is a program sometimes offered to individuals who have been arrested and accused of committing a criminal offense. Pre-trial interventions are rehabilitative in nature and if completed successfully, allow the accused to avoid a criminal trial and possible conviction.

Because pre-trial interventions do not result in a criminal conviction, information regarding an individual's participation in such programs will not be included in a conviction history background check.

SureHire explains Pre-Trial Intervention

A person's criminal history record may include information from a number of sources, including arrest and pre-trial intervention records. However, not all states permit employers to access these records when they seek a criminal background check on a prospective employee.

Instead, some states, particularly those that have implemented Fair Chance Laws, prohibit the consideration of any information other than actual convictions. While exceptions to the prohibitions exist for certain arrests and when the information is required by law to be obtained, in jurisdictions where consideration is prohibited, employers may not ask about an employee's pre-trial interventions.

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