You’ve been found Guilty – What you do next will determine your future!

Preparation for The Presentence Interview (PSI) cannot be overstated, your future depends on it.

The Probation Officer (PO), the court’s representative conducts The Presentence Interview (PSI), which is a detailed overview of your entire background. Your participation includes:

  1. Collecting medical records (hospital, laboratory, radiology, physician, surgical, prescription, medical devices) takes time, and they all have more important things to do (like patient care) than collecting charts for legal purposes.
  2. Other records: educational, military, character, community, and work references, original birth certificates, social security card, license, etc, you get the picture.
  3. The Probation Officer (P.O.), after interviewing (you), the defendant during their Presentence Interview (PSI)), will next do their investigation verifying all that they have learned. Their final step is to draft the official Presentence Report (Blatstein et al., 2021, p 43-51) for the court (and judge). Here is where they will likely provide both sentencing and BOP placement options.
  4. This is why the PSI is the best opportunity for your legal team to begin to get their message on the record, into the Presentence Report (PSR), and before the court.
  5. Whether it is the BOP Placement request, or requesting that the court consider other “relevant conduct”, to look beyond the offense of conviction to what actually happened – once the PSI is done, and the official PSR has been drafted, getting it changed is a big ask.
    • This is reason 1 why getting it completed accurately the first time is essential.
    • Long before the P.O. meets with you, it’s helpful for your attorney to ask the P.O. for their “dictation deadline”, or the date that the final PSR draft is due to their supervisor. 
    • Why, because requesting to add new content after that date is possible, but nothing is guaranteed. Where there is new biographical information,
      • Your attorney could request to email it to your P.O., by category.
        • so that the P.O. could simply copy-paste it into the appropriate categories.
      • This is why it’s best that the defense strategies were organized and documented before the PSI,
        • Then provided to the P.O., with the goal of being included in their final drafting of your client’s PSR.
        • Further, as they are overworked, with no time, some will actually appreciate your efforts.

For a consultation without any obligations on your part, I am easy to reach: 240.888.7778 (my personal cell) or email me at, info@PPRSUS.com.

 

How Critical Is The Role of The Presentence Report (Blatstein et al., 2021, p 43-51)?

I) The Judge uses it to determine the length of your sentence:

II) The BOP places you based on your;

  • Medical Need 
  • Security Requirement 
  • Criminogenic Need, Risk Assessment

III) Probation uses it during Supervised Release

IV) Last: It Remains on Your Record For Life

Don’t let this be a missed opportunity!

 

PPRSUS is here to help

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