Investigation
The Adult Investigation units of the Probation Department serve the Court by providing pre-sentence information based on an analysis of the defendant's social and criminal history, the crime, the impact on victims (if applicable), and the sentencing laws as they apply to the specific charges pled and proven.
Deputy Probation Officers are expected to be able to present and justify their reports and recommendations to the Court based on factual content and knowledge of sentencing law. They also review and make recommendations about bail and "own recognizance" releases.
Deputy Probation Officers are assigned to investigate and determine eligibility for Penal Code (PC)
1210.1 probation cases (Prop. 36). PC 1210.1 is a sentencing alternative to incarceration providing out of custody programming for non-violent drug program offenders.
The Deputy Probation Officer assigned to Deferred Entry of Judgment (formerly Drug Diversion) cases reviews the eligibility of every individual referred from the Superior Court. A defendant who is referred for Deferred Entry of Judgment must successfully complete a counseling program mandated by Section 1000 of the Penal Code. Deferred Entry of Judgment removes the defendant from the criminal system and dismisses the case.
Felony assignments are received by referrals resulting from every felony plea taken throughout the county. Sheer numbers as well as the type of crime govern the assignment process. Defendant and victim interviews, research, and extensive contact with both prosecuting and defense attorneys, as well as with law enforcement agencies, are required to produce a thorough pre-sentence report.
