Presentence Investigation legal definition of Presentence Investigation. Presentence Investigation synonyms by the Free Online Law Dictionary.

Research that is conducted by court services or a Probation officer relating to the prior criminal record, education, employment, and other information about a person convicted of a crime, for the purpose of assisting the court in passing sentence.

A presentence investigation (PSI) is prepared for persons convicted of serious crimes. In misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses, the court may order a PSI, whereas in felony cases a PSI is mandatory. State and federal statutes (18 U.S.C.A. § 3553(b) [1984]) set PSI requirements and are supplemented by federal and state rules of Criminal Procedure.

The presentence investigation generally consists of an interview with the defendant, a review of his or her criminal record, and a review of the specific facts of the crime. The probation or court services department prepares a report that contains all of this information and makes a recommendation to the court about the type and severity of the sentence. The court always makes the final decision about the sentence, but it may be limited by federal and state sentencing guidelines, which set standard sentences based on the seriousness of the present crime and the previous criminal history of the convicted person. A sentencing guidelines worksheet is often included in the PSI to assist the court in determining whether to depart from the guidelines and enhance or reduce the severity of the standard sentence.

If the court desires more information than is otherwise available to it as a basis for determining the mental condition of the defendant, it may order the defendant to undergo a psychiatric or psychological examination.

Since the 1980s many states have allowed the victims of a crime to participate in the presentencing stage. Some states have victim loss or victim impact forms that give crime victims an opportunity to make people in the criminal justice system aware of the impact a crime has had on their lives. Victims are also encouraged to contact the probation office and provide other relevant information for the PSI.

A PSI often contains a mix of public and confidential information. Information about juveniles and crime victims, as well as psychological reports, are confidential and must be kept out of the public record.

Cross-references

Sentencing.

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probation sentencing	I resist the idea of the introduction of information about people's children being a mandatory element of the presentence investigation," Gamber said. Not a priority: Illinois law provides in some ways for children whose ... by Lowenstein, Jeff Kelly; Schmitz, Christiana / The Chicago Reporter In addition to supervising the men and women on her caseload, Littrell was responsible for presentence investigations, writing sentencing recommendation reports and presenting testimony in court. Dedicated innovator sets statewide example by Gormsen, Lia / Corrections Today This principle was not lost on either Congress or the Commission, who provided in Rule 32 for a presentence investigation in every case (not just when the parties wanted one), and provided that factual ambiguities should be disclosed for judicial resolution (not bargained away). Judicial oversight of negotiated sentences in a world of bargained ... by King, Nancy J. / Stanford Law Review	present reasons for and against present the appearance present the meaning of present to the court for acceptance present to the view present to view present with bias present-day present-time presentability presentably presentation presentation of arguments and evidence presentation of basics presentation of data presentation of essentials presentation of evidence presentation of testimony presentation of the documentation presentation of the evidence presentation of the facts presentation to the public presentation to view presented Presentee Presentence Investigation presenter presentient presentiment presenting presenting favorable conditions presenting few difficulties presenting information presently presentment Presents preservation preservation from harm preservation from injury preservation of the same conditions preservative preserve preserve a memory preserve permanently as a public record preserve public order preserve public tranquility preserved preserver preserving presettle preshow	presentationally presentationally Presentationism Presentations Presentations Presentations Presentations Presentations Environmental Graphic Design Presentations in Protein Explorer presentative presentative presentativeness presentativeness Presente presented presented presented presented presented arms presented arms presented arms presented itself presented itself presented itself presentee presentee Presenteeism Presenteeism presentees presentees Presentence Investigation presenter presenter presenter presenter presenters presenters Presential Presentiality Presentiate presentient presentient Presentific Presentifical presentiment presentiment presentimental presentimental presentiments presentiments presenting presenting presenting presenting presenting arms presenting arms presenting arms Presenting Authentic Religion to Youth Presenting Bank Presenting Banks Presenting complaint

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probation
sentencing

I resist the idea of the introduction of information about people's children being a mandatory element of the presentence investigation," Gamber said.

Not a priority: Illinois law provides in some ways for children whose ... by Lowenstein, Jeff Kelly; Schmitz, Christiana / The Chicago Reporter

In addition to supervising the men and women on her caseload, Littrell was responsible for presentence investigations, writing sentencing recommendation reports and presenting testimony in court.

Dedicated innovator sets statewide example by Gormsen, Lia / Corrections Today

This principle was not lost on either Congress or the Commission, who provided in Rule 32 for a presentence investigation in every case (not just when the parties wanted one), and provided that factual ambiguities should be disclosed for judicial resolution (not bargained away).

Judicial oversight of negotiated sentences in a world of bargained ... by King, Nancy J. / Stanford Law Review

present reasons for and against

present the appearance

present the meaning of

present to the court for acceptance