What is a key characteristic of pretrial restraint?

Pretrial restraint is primarily focused on ensuring that an individual will attend their trial proceedings. This measure is implemented to mitigate the risk of flight and to uphold the integrity of the judicial process. By imposing such restraints, authorities aim to maintain the efficacy of the court system, ensuring that defendants appear as required without the necessity of punishment being involved before a conviction is made.

This characteristic is important because it emphasizes the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Pretrial restraint should not be mistaken for punishment; instead, it serves as a safeguard for the legal process, protecting not only the interests of the prosecution but also the rights of the defendant to receive a fair trial. The other options do not align with the primary purpose of pretrial restraint; while an investigative tool might relate to evidence gathering or fact-finding, and community service requirements pertain to sentencing after a verdict, these do not accurately describe the essence of pretrial restraint.