Understanding the Importance of a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI)
So, you’ve made it entirely through a criminal case, from preliminary hearing to trial, and unfortunately, you’ve been convicted. Or maybe you’ve gotten to the point where you’ve entered a blind plea, and now it’s time to figure out what the sentencing is going to be. This is when you really need to know about a pre-sentence investigation.
Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal defense attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for eight years now, and I’m going to help you make law easy by just talking about a pre-sentence investigation and what a PSI means to you.
What is a Pre-Sentence Investigation?
A pre-sentence investigation is relatively self-explanatory. Every single one of those words means exactly what you think it means in that scenario. It’s an investigation or study that’s done before you’re sentenced by the court. The reason for this is that the law wants to make sure that if you’re going to be punished, it’s going to be a punishment that fits the crime.
So obviously, you have your sentencing guidelines that are by statute. So let’s say you’re facing a crime that carries five to ten years. Should you get the five or should you get the ten? Let’s say you’re facing a crime that carries possibly no jail time at all, or carries up to 20 years. Should you get the zero or should you get the 20?
The Role of a PSI in Sentencing
That’s what a PSI is meant to try to figure out for you and, really, for the court. It’s trying to figure out what level of risk or danger you pose to the community if you were allowed to remain free, or if you were allowed out within a certain number of years. What are the chances that you’re going to re-offend? What are the chances that you’re going to re-commit the same crimes or just go and commit a different crime?
That’s what a PSI is meant to do, and they can be very, very helpful. I’ve seen cases where attorneys are absolutely convinced that the defendant is going to just go away for life, and a PSI comes back favorably, and they got a very, very good sentence because of it.
Start with a Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session
If you’re facing a situation that requires a presentence investigation, it’s essential to understand its implications fully. Our law office is here to help. Call Tulsa felony attorney Carl Birkhead at 918-879-1681 to schedule a low-cost initial strategy session. Let’s work together to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
