Ch4 Pretrial Supervision, Sentencing, And The Presentence Investigation Report Flashcards
Failure to appear
A situation in which a defendant does not attend a scheduled court hearing
Pretrial release
A defendants release in the community following arrest as an alternative to detention while the defendant prepares for the next scheduled court appearance
Delegated release authority
Statutory authority that allows pretrial services officers to release the defendant before the initial court appearance in front of the judge.
Pretrial supervision
Court-ordered correctional supervision of a defendant who has not yet been convicted whereby the defendant participates in activities such as reporting, house arrest, and electronic monitoring to ensure appearance at the next court date.
Surety bond
A certificate signed by the principal and a third party, promising to pay in the event the assured suffers damages or losses because the employee fails to perform as agreed.
Diversion
An alternative program to traditional criminal sentencing or juvenile justice adjudication that provides first-time offenders with a chance or addresses unique treatment needs, with the successful completion resulting in the dismissal of the current charges.
Sentencing
The post conviction stage, in which the defendant is brought before the court for formal judgement pronounced by a judge.
Reflective justice
Each defendants case is considered in total according to its subjectivities, harms, wrongs, and contexts, and then measured against concepts such as oppression, freedom, dignity, and equality.
Presumptive sentencing grids
A narrow range of sentencing guidelines that judges are obligated to use. Any deviations must be provided in writing and may also be subject to appellate court review.
Sentencing commission
A governing body that monitors the use of the sentencing guidelines and departures from the recommended sentences.
Presentence investigation report (PSI)
A report submitted to the court before sentencing describing the nature of the offense, offender characteristics, criminal history, loss to the victim, and sentencing recommendations.
Post-sentence report
A report written by a probation officer after the defendant has pled guilty and been sentenced in order to aid probation and parole officers in supervision, classification, and program plans.
Presentence investigation
An investigation undertaken by a probation officer for the purpose of gathering and analyzing information to complete a report for the court.
Offense-based presentence report
A presentence investigation report that focuses primarily on the offense committed, the offender’s culpability, and prior criminal history
Victim impact statement
A written account by the victim(s) as to how the crime has taken a toll physically, emotionally, financially, or psychologically on the victim and the victim’s family. Victim impact statements are considered by many states at time of sentencing and at parole board hearings.
