FAQs • Portage County, WI • CivicEngage

Why won’t court staff help me fill out a form or tell me how to proceed in my case?: Courthouse staff cannot give legal advice. According to Supreme Court Rule 70.41, services such as legal research or assistance filling out a form can be considered legal advice. The worst case scenario places court staff in violation of unauthorized practice of law, an offense punishable by as much as $500 or a year in jail (according to WI Statute § 757.30(1) or both.

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Justice Programs

1. What should I expect at a Pretrial Service's intake?

Once you arrived at Pretrial Services, a social worker is assigned to you. The social worker will go over the appropriate paperwork, determine your needs, and connect you with resources that are available in the community.

Remote Breath Monitoring - The social worker will provide instructions for the Remote Breath. You will complete practice Remote Breath tests so you are able to use the equipment once you leave the office.
GPS Monitoring - The social worker will provide instructions for the GPS. The social will attach a full charged GPS to the ankle of your choice and it will be fitted properly.
Drug Testing - During the intake, you will be asked to provide a urine sample.

2. How long will a typical intake meeting last?: A typical intake lasts about an hour. If you are court ordered to be on more than one piece of equipment (ex: GPS monitoring AND drug tesing), the intake will take longer.

3. May I receive text reminders for court hearings and appointments?: Yes. If you provide a current phone number to your social worker, they will set up text message reminders for hearings and appointments.

4. What is GPS monitoring?: GPS stands for Global Positioning System. GPS monitoring is an ankle-monitoring device that you wear and it tracks your movement 24/7. If you are on GPS, you could have a curfew, house arrest, areas that you cannot be in, if ordered by the court. It is your responsibility to keep the GPS unit charged. You will be given all the equipment to be successful on the GPS.

5. How do I get a GPS removed?: The GPS can be removed by Pretrial Staff, if the court removes GPS as a bail condition or if your case is resolved.

6. What is Remote Breath (RB)?: A Remote Breath is a handheld, portable breath alcohol monitoring unit. If you are ordered on a Remote Breath, you will blow into the machine three times every day. You are able to select the testing schedule that it works around your life.You will be provided all the equipment so that you are successful on the Remote Breath.

7. How does drug testing work?

Drug testing is done with a urine sample.

The test will be observed only by a same sex staff person.

Drug tests are scheduled Monday through Friday between 7:45 am to 11:45 am and 1 pm to 4 pm. If you report to the DCPS after 4pm the drug test may not be accepted.

The drug test are random. You receive a text message in the morning of the day you must report to DCPS. The number of drugs tests are decided by the assigned social worker or the courts may impose a bail condition with the number of urine samples a client must provide.

If you are asked to do the drug testing program you are not allowed to use the following while in the program:

Synthetic Marijuana (K2 Spice)
Illegal drugs
Other people’s medicines
Codeine or other narcotics without a prescriptions
CBD that contains THC (aka: Delta-8)

8. How much does it cost to be on Pretrial Services supervision?

There is no cost to you for Pretrial Services monitoring.

If you are court ordered on equipment (GPS or Remote Breath) you will be liable for the equipment if it is lost or damaged.The GPS costs $1,500 to replace and the Remote Breath unit is $800 to replace.

9. How can I find out if someone is in the Portage County Jail?: Call the Jail at 715-346-XXXX

10. May I bring my children to court and/or meetings with Pretrial Services?: Please do not bring your children into court or to Pretrial Services appointments.

11. Why won’t court staff help me fill out a form or tell me how to proceed in my case?: Courthouse staff cannot give legal advice. According to Supreme Court Rule 70.41, services such as legal research or assistance filling out a form can be considered legal advice. The worst case scenario places court staff in violation of unauthorized practice of law, an offense punishable by as much as $500 or a year in jail (according to WI Statute § 757.30(1) or both.