The presentence officer will usually contact you after you have either pled guilty or have been convicted at trial. However, you may be contacted at any time during this process.

Presentence reports are confidential documents and will only be released to your attorney (who will discuss the report with you), the prosecutor, the court, and the BOP (if you are sentenced to imprisonment). Absent a court order, no other party is entitled to a copy of the report.

As ordered by the court, a probation officer conducts a presentence investigation and submits a report to the court prior to sentencing. The purpose of the report is to assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence. It also serves to assist the probation officer in its supervision of the offender and to support the Bureau of Prisons (BOP)with inmate designation, classification, and release planning. The probation officer independently investigates the specifics of the offense and the offender’s criminal background and personal characteristics. The probation officer conducts interviews with the offender, as well as significant others who can provide information about the offender. Interviews/contacts are also conducted with the prosecutor, victims, and investigating agents. Home visits are conducted to assess the offender’s living conditions. Information regarding familial relationships, education, employment, substance abuse, physical health, mental health, and financial condition is gathered. After compiling the information and completing the presentence report, the probation officer discloses the report to the prosecutor and the defendant’s attorney. The probation officer is required to disclose the report at least 35 days prior to sentencing, unless this minimum time is waived by the defendant. If either the government or the defendant has any objections to the advisory guideline computations or the factual content of the report, written objections must be filed within 14 days of receipt of the report. The probation officer will attempt to resolve the objections and, if applicable, make any necessary corrections to the presentence report. The report will then be disclosed to the court and the parties. Any issues that remain unresolved will be summarized in an addendum. The final resolution of such disputes will be determined by the court.