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PROBATION DEPARTMENT |
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| The
Bryan Municipal Probation Department is responsible for
conducting pre-sentence investigations as ordered by the Bryan
Municipal Court. After sentencing the probation department shall
supervise any order of the court which may include anger
management treatment, attendance at AA/NA classes, drug and
alcohol treatment, participation in the V.O. R. P. Program,
cognitive behavioral treatment, parenting classes, drug testing,
community service, restitution and domestic violence treatment. |
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Some of the services provided by the Bryan Municipal Probation
Department include: |
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Thinking For a Change: Thinking for a Change approaches
thinking as a skill that can be learned, developed and
demonstrated. This course is designed to help offender's thinking
performance during life situations. |
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Resume Writing: The probation Department will help the
offender prepare a resume and cover letter. The offender will
gain the skills necessary to update this document whenever the
need arises.? |
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Anger Control Classes: This course will
help offenders deal with their anger in an appropriate manner. The
offenders will use role playing and peer evaluations to gain a better
understanding of how their own actions could cause additional stress in
their own lives. |
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Hands Down Domestic Violence Treatment:
This program provides lessons on positive communication skills, anger
and stress management, thinking skills and relationships. It will help
the individual understand why he/she acts out violently and how to
respond appropriately. |
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Community Service Work Programs: Community
Service Work (CSW) is a Restorative Justice based sentencing option,
offering offenders the opportunity to give back to the community while
being held accountable for their crimes. |
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What is a Presentence Investigation? |
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| After you
enter a guilty plea or after you are found guilty by the judge or jury,
the court orders a Presentence Investigation (PSI). In some states, the
court orders a PSI for cases where a deferred judgment or suspended
sentence has been stipulated. Officers of the court, usually probation
officers, conduct the investigation, gather the background information
about you and your case, and summarize the results of the investigation
in a written report, the Presentence Investigation Report. |
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What is a Presentence Investigation Report? |
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| A
Presentence Investigation Report (PSIR) is a written document that
contains background information about you, including your personal
history. The PSIR is also sometimes referred to as the application for
probation, although not everyone who has a PSIR completed is granted
probation by the court. The PSIR provides key information that
sociologists have determined to be important sentencing factors. |
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| These
factors, along with your case information, are evaluated by the judge
and used to impose an appropriate and just sentence that is in
compliance with state statutes or criminal code. The information is also
used to measure the likeliness of your success or failure on probation
supervision. It helps the court and judge to determine how you can best
be monitored and supervised so that you are less likely to commit
another crime. |
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What is a Presentence Investigation Report? |
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The PSIR
consists of the following sections: |
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| ◦ Cover Sheet |
| ◦ Offense Summary: |
| ◦ Plea Agreement Information |
| ◦ Defendant’s Statement |
| ◦ Criminal History |
| > Previous Adult Felony Convictions |
| > Additional Criminal History |
| > Pending Case Information |
| ◦ Victim Impact Statement or Statements |
| ◦ Restitution |
| ◦ Personal History |
| ◦ Financial Statement |
| ◦ Treatment Section |
| ◦ Summary |
| ◦ Recommendation |
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What goes into the report? |
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Presentence Investigation Report consists of information about your past
criminal history; who your acquaintances are; information about your
family who raised you; who is currently a part of your life including
siblings, spouses and children, dependants, or grandchildren; your
employment history; your education; your substance abuse issues; and
your treatment history. |
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| The PSI
writer will not only be asking you questions, but he or she will notice
how and at what level you are cooperating with and answering the
questions. |
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| The Bryan
Municipal Probation Department works hand in hand with Williams County
Victim Assistance to obtain information important to the sentencing of
an offender. |
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What Is a Victim Impact Statement and How Is It Used? |
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| As a crime
victim, you have the opportunity to use this Victim Impact Statement to
describe how this crime affected you and others close to you. This
statement has space for you to write about the physical, emotional, and
financial effects of this crime, as well as any other changes in your
life you may have experienced. If the defendant pleads guilty or is
found guilty after trial, your impact statement will help the judge
understand how this crime has affected you and those close to you. |
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Filling out this statement is voluntary |
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| You do not
have to fill out a victim impact statement. However, it may be helpful
to the judge when he or she decides what sentence the defendant should
receive and/or any money the defendant may have to pay you for expenses
you have paid or owe because of this crime. When the judge makes the
defendant pay the victim it is called "restitution." If the judge orders
the defendant to pay you restitution, there is no guarantee that the
defendant will be able to pay the entire amount. |
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| Your
statement will become an official court document after it is given to
the court, and will become part of the defendant's permanent file. The
judge, prosecutor and probation officer will read your statement. In
addition, prison and parole officials may read your statement if the
defendant is sentenced to a prison term. The defendant and the
defendant's attorney will also be able to read what you have written.
They may even be able to ask you questions about your statement in
court. However, the defendant will not be able to see your address
and telephone number because you are not asked to put them on your
statement. |
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| No one
knows better than you how this crime may have changed your life. Those
of us involved in your case believe that it is very important for you to
help the court understand all of the ways this crime has affected you
and those near you. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with
this information. |
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Suggestions for Completing Your Impact Statement |
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following suggestions are offered only as a guide in filling out this
form. Feel free to write in your own words how this crime has affected
you and those close to you. Please answer as many questions as you wish.
If a question makes you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to answer
it. If you need more space or you wish to provide information in a
different way, please use as much paper as you need, and attach the
pages to this form when you return it. If you feel uncomfortable in any
way using this form, you may write a letter to the judge and tell him or
her how this crime has affected you and those close to you. |
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| The first
part of the impact statement asks you three questions about: |
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The
emotional impact of this crime on you and those close to you |
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The
physical effects of this crime |
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The effect
of the crime on your ability to work or do any of the things you
normally do, such as going to school, running a household, or any other
activities you normally perform or enjoy. |
| If you have
paid or owe any money for bills because of this crime, please fill out
the financial impact section of the statement. It is important to be as
accurate and complete as possible when listing your costs because this
information will be used by the prosecutor, probation officer and the
judge to help them determine what restitution the defendant must pay to
you, the victim. Some examples of expenses you may have paid or owe
include medical bills or supplies; eyeglass or hearing aid replacement
or repair; counseling costs; lost wages or support; funeral expenses;
lost, stolen or damaged property which may include crime scene cleanup;
and the repair or replacement of door locks and security devices. It is
important to attach copies of any bills or other proof of any money you
have spent or expect to spend in the future. |
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| In addition
to medical or counseling bills, you may want to include any time off
from work that you were not paid for as a result of this crime. For
example, if you took time off from work to go to the doctor or
courthouse, and your employer did not pay you for this time, you may
want to ask the judge to think about these expenses when he or she
decides if the defendant will owe you any restitution. |
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Bryan Municipal Probation Department Mission Statement |
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As a
major partner in the justice system,
In collaboration with public and private entities,
We will strive to increase opportunities through cost-effective
Programs for offenders at risk, to experience success in socially
And legally acceptable ways.
For those who chose not to make positive changes,
We will recommend and impose consequences,
Thereby holding offenders accountable and protecting public interest and
safety. |
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| Copyright © 2009 Bryan Municipal Court, All
Rights Reserved |
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COURT RULES 
