Pre-Trial Services in Vermont

Jessica Burke

Jessica Burke is a licensed Vermont attorney and the founder of Burke Law. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Boston College in Political Science, and then received her law degree from Washington & Lee Law School. After law school she worked with several top law firms before settling in Vermont and building her own practice. In addition to being licensed to practice law in the state of Vermont, she also holds a State Bar certification in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, among others. She specializes in criminal defense, including DUI defense, homicides, and sex crimes.

Vermont Pre-Trial Services

Vermont’s Pre-Trial Services is a voluntary program of the Vermont Attorney General’s office. The Court often does not explain to defendants that their participation in Pre-Trial Services is entirely VOLUNTARY. If you do not want to participate in Pre-Trial Services in Vermont, you do not have to.

Pre-Trial Services offers various types of support for individuals charged with a crime in Vermont.

Pre-Trial Screenings–The Pre-Trial coordinator provides voluntary substance use and mental health screenings to individuals charged with a crime in Vermont. The screenings help identify whether an individual would benefit from meeting with a counselor for a further assessment and support.

If you do not want to do a Pre-Trial Screening, you do not have to and you can’t be charged with a violation of conditions of release in Vermont state court.

Unfortunately, Vermont Pre-Trial Services Coordinators often don’t tell defendants this important information.

If you are asked to participate in Pre-Trial Services talk to your attorney to help you make an informed decision about whether you (or your case) might benefit from participation.

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Pre-Trial Services in Vermont

Jessica Burke

If you do not want to do a Pre-Trial Screening, you do not have to and you can’t be charged with a violation of conditions of release in Vermont state court.

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