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 appopriate sentence for the defendant.

Read more about presentence investigation.

Supervision in the federal system is:

• A core responsibility of U.S. probation and pretrial services officers, along with investigation.
• A way to monitor the activities and behavior of people released to the community by the federal courts or paroling authorities.
• An opportunity to help offenders reintegrate into the community following a period of incarceration.
• In the case of probation, a punishment that is less severe than imprisonment, but still holds people accountable for breaking the law.
• An alternative to jail or prison that costs less than incarceration and gives people charged with or convicted of federal crimes the opportunity to live with their families, hold jobs, and be productive members of society.

Read more about supervision.

An individual convicted of a felony offense is prohibited from possessing a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), but is not prohibited from hunting consistent with state regulations.

Provided that they are not subject to probation/supervised release conditions prohibiting the possession of a dangerous weapon, felons may hunt with bows and/or black powder rifles.

If your friend/family member was convicted in Federal court, he most likely is held in a prison operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This information is publicly available via the Federal Bureau of Prisons website with the Inmate Locator.

The U.S. Probation Office is not authorized to release information regarding payments received and distributed by criminal defendants. Please contact the U.S. District Court Clerk for information if you believe you are owed court-ordered restitution.

You may request a certified copy of a document by contacting the clerk’s office. Contact information for the clerk is found on the clerk's office home page or you may email the clerk's office.

The cost for the certified document may be found on the clerk's office Fee's page. Prepayment is required to obtain certified copies. The request should include the case number, document number, and a check or money order.

You can find information on federal judges (district and magistrate judges) on your district court's website.

See our Office Locations.

For information regarding child support, call your state’s Department of Health and Human Services or visit their web site.

Most likely the judge has ordered a presentence report that will be used at your sentencing hearing. Your case will be assigned to a U.S. Probation Officer for the preparation of the presentence report, which will include a personal interview with you.