As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “The court” as used in this chapter includes “subordinate judicial officers,” if authorized by the particular superior court, as authorized in Section 22 of Article VI of the California Constitution and specified in Rule 10.703 of the California Rules of Court.

(b) “High risk” means that an arrested person, after determination of the person’s risk following an investigation by Pretrial Assessment Services, including the use of a validated risk assessment tool, is categorized as having a significant level of risk of failure to appear in court as required or risk to public safety due to the commission of a new criminal offense while released on the current criminal offense.

(c) “Low risk” means that an arrested person, after determination of the person’s risk following an investigation by Pretrial Assessment Services, including the use of a validated risk assessment tool, is categorized as having a minimal level of risk of failure to appear in court as required or risk to public safety due to the commission of a new criminal offense while released on the current criminal offense.

(d) “Medium risk” means that an arrested person, after determination of the person’s risk following an investigation by Pretrial Assessment Services, including the use of a validated risk assessment tool, is categorized as having a moderate level of risk of failure to appear in court as required or risk to public safety due to the commission of a new criminal offense while released on the current criminal offense.

(e) “Own recognizance release” means the pretrial release of an arrested person who promises in writing to appear in court as required, and without supervision.

(f) “Pretrial risk assessment” means an assessment conducted by Pretrial Assessment Services with the use of a validated risk assessment tool, designed to provide information about the risk of a person’s failure to appear in court as required or the risk to public safety due to the commission of a new criminal offense if the person is released before adjudication of his or her current criminal offense.

(g) “Pretrial Assessment Services” means an entity, division, or program that is assigned the responsibility, pursuant to Section 1320.26, to assess the risk level of persons charged with the commission of a crime, report the results of the risk determination to the court, and make recommendations for conditions of release of individuals pending adjudication of their criminal case, and as directed under statute or rule of court, implement risk-based determinations regarding release and detention. The entity, division, or program, at the option of the particular superior court, may be employees of the court, or employees of a public entity contracting with the court for those services as provided in Section 1320.26, and may include an entity, division, or program from an adjoining county or one that provides services as a member of a regional consortium. In all circumstances persons acting on behalf of the entity, division, or program shall be officers of the court. “Pretrial Assessment Services” does not include supervision of persons released under this chapter.

(h) “Risk” refers to the likelihood that a person will not appear in court as required or the likelihood that a person will commit a new crime if the person is released before adjudication of his or her current criminal offense.

(i) “Risk score” refers to a descriptive evaluation of a person’s risk of failing to appear in court as required or the risk to public safety due to the commission of a new criminal offense if the person is released before adjudication of his or her current criminal offense, as a result of conducting an assessment with a validated risk assessment tool and may include a numerical value or terms such as “high,” “medium,” or “low” risk.

(j) “Supervised own recognizance release” means the pretrial release of an arrested person who promises in writing, but without posting money or a secured bond, to appear in court as required, and upon whom the court or Pretrial Assessment Services imposes specified conditions of release.

(k) “Validated risk assessment tool” means a risk assessment instrument, selected and approved by the court, in consultation with Pretrial Assessment Services or another entity providing pretrial risk assessments, from the list of approved pretrial risk assessment tools maintained by the Judicial Council. The assessment tools shall be demonstrated by scientific research to be accurate and reliable in assessing the risk of a person failing to appear in court as required or the risk to public safety due to the commission of a new criminal offense if the person is released before adjudication of his or her current criminal offense and minimize bias.

(l) “Witness” means any person who has testified or is expected to testify, or who, by reason of having relevant information, is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness in an action or proceeding for the current offense, whether or not any action or proceeding has yet been commenced, and whether or not the person is a witness for the defense or prosecution.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 244, Sec. 4. (SB 10) Effective date (January 1, 2019) suspended pursuant to referendum petition. Effective only if Ch. 244 is approved as a referendum measure at the November 3, 2020, election.)