Since it’s implementation, the Absconder Unit has used many facets of modern technology in locating individuals. Among these are the Internet, Texas Workforce Commission databases, credit bureaus, and local, state, and national criminal justice databases. Contacts with law enforcement, community members, and other government agencies also assist in the location of these individuals.

Felony absconders are placed in the Williamson County Crime Stoppers web page and many have been apprehended by 'hits' from this web page.

Offenders on this caseload consist of those that have failed to comply with their conditions of supervision, have fled supervision, and have active warrants on their cases. During FY ‘05, the Absconder Unit located 499 individuals. The unit collected a total of $39,214 from offenders that had fled supervision. Of this, $3,775.97 was for restitution; $19,325.49 for fines and court costs; $15,471.29 for supervision fees, and $641 for miscellaneous fees.  The following is a chart that compares collections from the past five years. The reduction of collections in the past 5 years is primarily due to the reduction in the number of absconders on the caseload.

PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORTS

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.12, § 9, Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) reports are conducted on most felony and some misdemeanor cases summarizing the circumstances of the offense, the restitution amount, the criminal and social history of the defendant, recommendations for conditions of probation, and any other relevant data the judge requests. 

The department has three PSI writers who prepared PSI reports on 710 defendants in FY 05.