Lesson 2: Presentence Investigation (PSI) Report
Overview:
Lesson on the Presentence Investigation Report will teach defendants how to position themselves so that they serve the lowest possible sentence in the most favorable prison possible.
Our course on Sentence Mitigation Strategies teaches a defendant how to prepare persuasive package designed to convince judge that prior good works and community contributions show that he is worthy of lowest possible sentence.
Course Description:
Our lesson on the Presentence Investigation (PSI) Report is essential for anyone who has been charged with a federal crime. Whether an individual has been charged with a white-collar crime, drug crime, or any other type of felony, the Presentence Investigation Report will have enormous implications if there is a finding of guilt. The judge may rely upon the Presentence Investigation Report during sentencing. Besides the judge, however, administrators within the Bureau of Prisons and the federal probation officer who oversees Supervised Release will rely upon the Presentence Investigation Report when classifying the offender.
2 Lesson jpegDefendants who encounter the criminal justice system for the first time rarely invest the time and resources necessary to understand the relevance of the Presentence Investigation Report. Basically, after a finding of guilt, a federal judge will order an officer from federal probation to initiate a Presentence Investigation. The probation officer will conduct some preliminary background work to learn what the United States Attorney had to say about the case. The probation officer may also interview law enforcement officers who were involved in the case and the probation officer will want to hear what victims had to say as well.
Within a few days or weeks of the conviction, the probation officer will meet with the defendant. That meeting between the defendant and the probation officer is of monumental importance. The probation officer will listen to what the defendant has to say and take detailed notes. If the defendant fails to appreciate the importance of the Presentence Investigation Report, he may make comments that result in his serving more time in prison than necessary. He also may find that his Presentence Investigation Report results in his serving his sentence in a Bureau of Prisons facility that has more restrictions than would otherwise be warranted in his case.
Since the Presentence Investigation Report has such enormous implications on a defendant’s case, at White Collar Advice we strongly recommend this lesson as a starting point for all of our clients.