After a person is convicted in federal court, the judge orders a presentence investigation conducted by a probation officer. This investigation gathers information about the defendant, the offense, and the defendant’s background.
The investigation may include interviews, review of financial and employment records, and examination of criminal history. The probation officer analyzes the offense conduct and applies federal sentencing guidelines to determine a recommended range.
All of this information is compiled into a Presentence Investigation Report (PSR), which is one of the most influential documents in the sentencing process.
What is a presentence investigation?
A background investigation conducted before sentencing.
What does the report include?
Criminal history, offense details, background, and guideline calculations.
Do judges rely on the report?
Yes, judges rely heavily on the PSR during sentencing.
Can defendants challenge the report?
Yes, attorneys may object to inaccuracies before sentencing.
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