FAQs - Pretrial

General Disclaimer

Please note that the following responses are intended to provide only general guidance. If you require additional information beyond the information provided, it is recommended that you contact the resource referenced, speak to a representative of the U.S. Probation Office, or consult with an attorney. In addition, please note that U.S. Probation Office records and files are the property of the U.S. District Court and cannot be disclosed unless ordered to do so by the sentencing judge. In addition, pursuant to Federal Law, the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act do not apply to the Federal Judiciary.

Pretrial

Q: I have been sentenced and am waiting to be told where to report to serve my sentence. Do I report to my U.S. Probation Officer until I am assigned to a prison?

Answer

If you were released on bond with pretrial supervision, you are still required to report to your U.S. Pretrial Services Officer until you report to prison. Failure to abide by these conditions after sentencing could result in arrest and remand for immediate service of the sentence.

Q: What is the presentence investigation phase of a case?

Answer

Presentence investigation occurs after a defendant enters a plea of guilty to a federal offense or is convicted by trial. During this phase, a probation officer interviews the defendant to gather information on the defendant's background. From the interviews and investigation, the probation officer prepares a presentence report for the judge to use to determine the appropriate sentence for the defendant.

Read more about presentence investigation.

United States Probation and Pretrial Services

Eastern District of Arkansas

G. Edward Towe, Ed.D. - Chief U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Officer

You are here

FAQs - Pretrial

General Disclaimer

Pretrial