Sentencing Hearings and Probation Reports

Defendants who enter a plea upon arraignment and receive "time served" have sentencing hearings that barely last a few minutes. But most defendants receive a presentence work-up, in which they are interviewed by the probation department, who prepares a report for the judge. Read about these hearings, the reports, and how they're used by judges.

Sentencing, the Basics

What Happens at Sentencing?

At a sentencing hearing, the judge will review the presentence report (prepared by the probation office) and hear arguments from both the prosecutor and the defense attorney—and sometimes, the victim.
Your Presentence Report and How to Improve It

Especially in felony and more serious misdemeanor cases, judges typically rely on presentence reports, prepared by probation officers, in making sentencing decisions.

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