An extra step in DUI cases is to get a CRN done. At the Probation Office.
What is a “CRN”?
“CRN” stands for “Court Reporting Network.” It is a type of drug and alcohol evaluation, one using special “instruments and techniques.”
The purpose of a CRN is to determine the extent of your involvement with drugs and alcohol. It is also used to assist the Court in determining what conditions of ARD would benefit you or the public.
Do the instruments and techniques actually work?
If the inputs are accurate, maybe or at least mostly. But what if they are inaccurate? Hmm.
Who says you have to do a CRN?
The legislature and the DA.
The legislature says a CRN must be done before admission to ARD in DUI cases.
The DA has made it a specific eligibility requirement.
What happens if you don’t do a CRN?
You don’t get ARD. You have to do a CRN if you want ARD.
An exception being made for you is possible. As to the timing of the CRN.
How to get a CRN?
Wait for the letter
The Probation Office will send you a letter in the mail. It will schedule an appointment to do the evaluation.
When will you get the letter?
When the Probation Office sends it out, based on their schedule, which you have no control over. But normally, the letter goes out after the preliminary arraignment, if applicable, or before the preliminary hearing.
If you don’t get one, you can follow up.
Do you have to follow up?
No, the Probation Office is supposed to reach out to you. But you do have to get a CRN done. If it is not done by the date the DA moves for your admission to ARD, and you are not at fault, the DA and Court may let you go in anyway. They do sometimes in our experience. But don’t count on it. If they do let you go in without a CRN, you will still have to do one at some point.
Go in for the evaluation
When do you go in for the evaluation? When the Probation Office says so, usually before arraignment.
If the date they schedule does not work for you, you can try and reschedule. In our experience, they have some flexibility.
Just understand who the boss is. If they think you are not being flexible enough, they may tell the Judge or the DA that you were not cooperative. That could cause a problem, including a delay and extra court appearance.
Do you have to go in?
The better question is, can the Probation Office make you go in to their office for the CRN? In our experience, yes. The Court will normally defer to them. But Probation Office also has the discretion not to require it. And in our experience, that can and does happen sometimes.
Get a copy of the report
When your CRN is done, a report will be generated and will include recommendations. For example, the report may recommend that you get a comprehensive alcohol and/or drug assessment.
The Probation Office will keep the report in their records. Try and get a copy just in case.
The DA and the Court will be notified as well upon request and/or pursuant to routine procedures.
Will they check?
The DA and/or the Court may or my not verify that the CRN is done before you are admitted to ARD. You should assume that they will check, though. Try and have it done or a plan with the Probation Office to complete it.
Comments
Reserved.
Resources
75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3816(a) (Evaluation using Court Reporting Network)
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