Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) Application Procedures at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell

At the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell, we always want the best outcome for our clients. The Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) is a path we advocate for our clients to be enrolled in so they can avoid prosecution and improve their lives. We recommend this program to our clients when they are eligible. The PTI program is targeted towards first time offenders charged with non violent crimes and offers rehabilitative services to deter future criminal activities/behavior. It is a great result if your matter is resolved through  the PTI program as one can avoid having a criminal record. 

When it pertains to more serious crimes such as those that carry a presumption of incarceration or those who have prior third or fourth degree indictable offenses but were not sentenced to state prison, we put in the effort to write a Compelling Reasons letter brief to the PTI Unit. The purpose of this letter brief is to convince the Prosecutor to allow our client into the program and prove how it will benefit them and society. The letter consists of 17 points as to why our client should be admitted and informs the prosecutor that our client is a great candidate for the program. 

We collect important and positive information regarding our clients and their contributions to society such as resume, community service hours, awards, proof of employment and character letters from employers, relatives and friends. Depending on the clients and the circumstances of their case, we have them enroll in an anger management program, attend AA meetings or be evaluated by a forensic psychologist. These reports and letters from forensic psychologists are added to the Compelling Reasons letter to show that they are making headway in improving their lives and that prosecution would not be beneficial as they are not a danger to society. Additionally we ask clients to come into the office to let us know more about their positive attributes and to contribute to this process. These supporting documents are submitted along with the PTI application and the Compelling Reasons letter. 

If the client is accepted into the PTI program, the next step is the PTI interview. The prosecutor’s office in some counties are backlogged and the interview is not completed before the client is indicted. We ensure that our clients are interviewed by the PTI unit before their next court appearance. As a result the judges and the prosecutors feel more comfortable as they see a competent lawyer advocating for their client.

We understand that there is a language barrier at times and some of our clients do not speak English fluently. Fortunately there is a Spanish version of the PTI application which translates everything from the English version so that our Spanish speaking clients understand better what we are applying them to and how beneficial it will be to their lives.

If the prosecutor rejects the client for PTI, we appeal their rejection by writing a PTI Appeal Brief. This brief is an extensive argument that we submit to the Judge which counteracts each point that the prosecutor has made in their rejection brief and includes more positive information on our client. 

The Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) application and process can be stressful for our clients without counsel. Hiring a professional and experienced lawyer at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell is essential especially when a client is eligible for a program but faces potential objection by the prosecutor for PTI admission. We know what to include that will improve our clients’ chances of getting enrolled into the PTI program. If you or someone you know has questions about the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) or is considering applying to the program without counsel, do not hesitate to contact our offices. 

EBM Law’s Commitment

The Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell, located at 142 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ 08901, are committed to helping our clients fight for the appropriate assessment. Eric B. Morrell has over 20 years of experience in defending clients with criminal charges. Some charges that he routinely deals with are:

1.  Criminal Defense

2.  DUI/DWI

3.  Guns and Weapons Crimes

4.  Pre-Trial Detention Hearings

5.  Expungements for Prior Convictions