
The PSI report covers any past convictions that a person may have received, or any run-ins with the law that did not lead to convictions – like arrests or accusations etc.This is because these external factors may have played a part in the criminals choices and actions leading up to the committal of their crime.

The information covered in the PSI report relates to the criminal’s life, circumstances, relationships and behaviors outside of their criminal case.
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What is covered in a PSI Report?Īs aforementioned, the purpose of a PSI report is not to gather information relating to the specific criminal case – that happens in the trial and is the job of the police investigators and the legal teams. The report then aids the judge as they decide how long and severe a sentence the criminal should receive.
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The judge needs to have a balanced overview of the full circumstances surrounding the case for the criminal, and of the lasting consequences of the case on others. In the same way, PSI reports are designed to take into consideration the impact that the criminal’s behavior had on their victim and victim’s family in cases where a victim is involved. The PSI report looks to fill in the gaps for the judge and to paint a fully formed picture of the person that the judge is about to sentence. Often the information in the report is not centered on the events of the case whatsoever. This is because there may be mitigating circumstances relating to the convict that were not brought up in the trial which explain or shed light on why they committed the crime. The purpose of a PSI is to establish facts and details about the criminal that can inform the judge about their wider life, circumstances and backstory. Some probation officers will even do home visits to get a clearer sense of the convicted party’s circumstances. In some circumstances probation officers will also conduct interviews with other family members, character witnesses, and officials involved in the trial in order to create as full a picture of the case as possible. It can be an intense and stressful experience for some convicts as the result of the interview can directly impact the severity of the sentence they will receive. Of course, the length of the interview depends on the case, on the cooperation of the interviewee, and on the probation officer. This interview generally takes place in the Probation Office and lasts between 2 and 4 hours. When the court orders a PSI report to be conducted, a probation officer will begin by conducting an in person interview with the convicted person. The probation officer may then be asked to confer with the sentencing judge prior to the sentencing hearing, and in some cases may have to give testimony relating to the findings of their investigation at the hearing. Once the investigation is complete, the probation officer may work with his or her superiors in order to formulate accurate and proper sentencing recommendations for the criminal. Presentence Investigation interviews are conducted by specialist Probation Officers, and the reports are written up by the same party. Who Conducts and Writes Presentence Investigations and Reports? Individuals may also face a PSI in custody hearings and in parole and appeal hearings. Individuals who are entering a plea in relation to a criminal charge will also be subject to a PSI.


Who is Eligible for a Presentencing Investigation?Īnyone who has been convicted of a felony or federal crime in the United States of America will be subject to a PSI report.

PSI reports are then handed to the judge to be studied in order to ensure that an appropriate sentencing decision is reached. The court orders these interviews to take place after any felony conviction or plea, to inform their sentencing decision. If you are scheduled for a PSI appointment you will be interviewed by an PSI officer who will ask questions pertaining to your biographical background and your current case. In American criminal law, a PSI stands for a Pre Sentence Investigation.
