A bill to give Federal courts additional discretion to determine whether pretrial detention is appropriate for defendants charged with nonviolent drug offenses in Federal criminal cases.

# S. 3960: Pretrial Detention Discretion for Drug Offenses **What the Bill Does** This bill would allow federal judges more flexibility in deciding whether to hold defendants in jail while waiting for their trial if they're accused of nonviolent drug crimes. Currently, federal law limits judges' discretion in these cases. The bill would give courts greater authority to consider individual circumstances—such as a defendant's ties to the community, employment, and criminal history—rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach to pretrial detention decisions. **Who It Affects** The bill directly affects people charged with nonviolent drug offenses in federal courts and indirectly affects the federal criminal justice system as a whole.

It could reduce the number of defendants held in pretrial detention, potentially lowering jail costs and allowing defendants to better prepare their legal defense while remaining in their communities. **Current Status** S. 3960 was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. Like most bills at this stage, its future passage remains uncertain.