Victim Assistance Services247 Columbus Avenue, Suite 319Sandusky, OH 44870Phone 419-627-7699 |
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Victim Assistance Div. of Erie County
Victims of Domestic Violence: 419-624-6875
Victims of Felony Crime: 419-627-7699
Victims of Juvenile Crime: 419-624-6885
Victims of Misdemeanor Crime: 419-624-6880
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Pre-Sentence Investigations
What are they?...When are they needed?...When are they ordered?
When the defendant has appeared in court and pled guilty or no contest to an offense and the Judge feels that there may be a need for more information before the defendant is sentenced, a pre-sentence investigation may be ordered by the Judge.
Who does it?
A pre-sentence investigation is done by the court's adult probation officer (or department).
What happens?
The defendant is given a questionnaire to fill out and is told to make an appointment, and will be interviewed. (Sometimes this can happen immediately.)
From this questionnaire the probation department will review and will verify the information.
Victim Impact Statements
The Victim Impact Statement is an essential part of the pre-sentence investigation, because this helps the Judge, Probation Department, and the Prosecutor to understand how this crime has affected you.
What happens next?
Upon completion of the information gathering and verification process, a sentencing hearing date will be scheduled.
What happens in court?
The information gathered by the Probation Department and the recommendations of that department will be used by the Judge to determine what type of sentence the defendant will receive and whether they will be placed on probation.
Victim's Assistance can be there for you...
So you should try to appear in court for the sentencing hearing if at all possible, so the Judge can speak to you in person.
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