Copyright 2010, Association of Pretrial Services Agencies of Florida, Inc.

Affiliate of the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies

For more information or to join APPF, please contact postmaster@appf.org

Welcome to APPF.org! Providing resources and
support for Pretrial Service Agencies in Florida!

Pretrial Services Professional Certification

The National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies (NAPSA) began offering a certification program for professionals working in the area of Pretrial Services in 2006. Since that time, several Florida Pretrial Services agencies applied to NAPSA to take the examination in order to obtain certification CPSP (Certified Pretrial Services Professional) status.  Florida is leading the way with the number of pretrial practitioners passing the examination. CPSP Certification consists of various levels with increasing education, training, and job requirements. Persons obtaining Level One Certification demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the pretrial movement and the history upon which pretrial justice is based. This is the only nationally recognized pretrial certification program of its kind in the Unites States.

The examination included general legal methodology, court issues and practices specific to the pretrial area of Criminal Justice. The Certified Pretrial Services Professional Certification is a three tiered program which provides individuals with the opportunity to attain and be certified at varying levels of expertise that is recognized by the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies. The certification program increases credibility; promotes leadership; and provides opportunity to attain a higher level of expertise in our field.   Sustaining this credential in conjunction with accreditation will provide pretrial practitioners in Florida an opportunity to be recognized as achieving a measure of professional advancement among our peers as well as in the pretrial professional community.  

National Public Radio - Behind The Bail Bond System
Mon, 18 Jan 2010
National Public Radio (NPR) has completed a story about bail. The story aired on Thursday January 21 and Friday January 22 on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. For more information and to listen to the show please visit the NPR website.

 Florida Pretrial Services Agencies Gain Accreditation

     An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.  Schools, universities, and hospitals are some of the most well known organizations that are required to maintain accreditation. Now, agencies with pretrial responsibilities can now achieve accredited status through the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission.

The Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission worked closely with the Association of Pretrial Professionals of Florida to develop professional standards for Pretrial Agencies in Florida.

     Pretrial accreditation standards were developed based upon comprehensive research of:  Florida Statutes, the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Standards for Pretrial Release, FCAC operating standards, and standards adopted by The National Association of Pretrial Services Agency.

For more information visit the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commision online.