presentencing
Prior to punishment
Presentencing describes the period or procedures that occur after a criminal conviction but before the judge imposes a sentence.
A presentencing report or investigation gathers information about the defendant's background, criminal history, and circumstances of the offense to help the court determine an appropriate punishment.
The presentencing interview revealed mitigating factors the defense hoped would reduce the sentence.
Presentencing hearings allow both prosecution and defense to present arguments about sentencing.
Party facing charges
- judgeOne who decides
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- defense attorneyLawyer representing the accused
- probation officerCourt-appointed offender monitor
caseworker · social worker · psychologist · victim · family · advocate · counsel · court
Formal written findings
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- interviewFormal questioning session
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
recommendation · guidelines · hearing · motion · conference · detention · release · diversion
Advised course of action
- probationSupervised trial period
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- detentionTemporary official holding
- custodyProtective care or control
release · bail · bond · conditions · supervision · monitoring · treatment · program
Possibility of harm
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- psychologicalOf the mind
- psychiatricOf mental health treatment
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
history · criminal record · character · circumstances · factors · score · tool · instrument
State of being unsure
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
trepidation · concern · worry · dread · suspense · limbo · unknown · speculation
defendant
Party facing charges
- judgeOne who decides
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- defense attorneyLawyer representing the accused
probation officer · caseworker · social worker · psychologist · victim · family · advocate · counsel · court · magistrate
report
Formal written findings
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- interviewFormal questioning session
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
evaluation · recommendation · guidelines · hearing · motion · conference · detention · release · diversion · plea
recommendation
Advised course of action
- probationSupervised trial period
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- detentionTemporary official holding
custody · release · bail · bond · conditions · supervision · monitoring · treatment · program · diversion
risk
Possibility of harm
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- psychologicalOf the mind
- psychiatricOf mental health treatment
background · history · criminal record · character · circumstances · factors · score · tool · instrument · screening
uncertainty
State of being unsure
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
nervousness · trepidation · concern · worry · dread · suspense · limbo · unknown · speculation · expectation
presentencingpost-conviction
After criminal judgment rendered
appellate · post-trial · pretrial · parole · reentry