Pre-sentence report

Pre-sentence reports are:

• usually requested after a person charged with a crime has pleaded guilty to a charge/s and before they are sentenced
• written by probation officers
• detailed reports that examine various aspects of the person's past and current situation

Prior to writing pre-sentence reports, in-depth interviews are conducted with the offender.

Pre-sentence reports include information on the offender's:

• family background and other relationships
• education and employment
• accommodation
• financial situation
• health
• alcohol and drug use
• previous offending behaviour and the current offence

The purpose of a pre-sentence report is to give the magistrate or judge information to assist them in deciding on an appropriate sentence.

Sentencing options include:

• a fine
• a community service order
• a probation order
• a suspended sentence
• imprisonment
• a combination of the above penalties

A pre-sentence report interview takes approximately two hours, depending on the history and problems in the person's life.

The offender is made aware of the content of the report before going back to court for sentencing. The offender then has the option of disagreeing with the content of the report. Any disagreement is discussed with the defendant and stated at the end of the report.

A copy of the report is shown to the defendant's lawyer and the prosecutor prior to the court date.