You may have been requested by the courts or your lawyer may have suggested that you obtain a pre-sentencing report. Usually, these reports are requested when you have pled guilty to an offence or found guilty of an offence(s) and there may have been extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime/offence. These reports can also be requested if the offender is a youth, a repeat offender, or the offender has committed multiple violent and/or sexual offences.
So, what is a pre-sentencing report?
Pre-sentencing reports are usually comprehensive reports detailing your background, the offence and the events surrounding the offence as well as any psychiatric history. This is to ensure that the courts have a comprehensive understanding of who the offender is and the relevant factors surrounding the crime so that a sentence can be accordingly prescribed. This is a general guideline, as each case is different and may vary.
It may also detail any risk factors identified in the offenders background and the offender’s risk of re-offending. Thus, the report assists the court in determining what would be the appropriate sentencing for the offence and offender.
Furthermore, the report also provides recommendations to the court on programmes and therapies that may assist in rehabilitating the individual that offended.
What is involved?
These reports usually include, but are not limited to:
- A full background history,
- A criminal history, including your version of the events,
- A full psychiatric history as well as a discussion on any psychiatric illnesses and adherence to treatment,
- Psychometric assessments usually including a risk assessment tool,
In addition, these usually involve a personality and pathology assessment and/or a cognitive assessment depending on the presenting issues.
- A review and discussion of any risk factors,
- A review of any court documents
- Collateral information is also collected from family, friends, employers etc
- Recommendations for various services and future treatment
Dr Pauline Baleta has extensive experience in the forensic sector. She worked in detention settings and in the forensic unit of a psychiatric hospital in South Africa for just under 3 years, until leaving the government sector to pursue a private practice. In private practice she was contracted to the Department of Justice performing pre-sentencing reports as well as fitness and responsibility reports. She also performed these services for the private sector. Since immigrating to Australia, she has continued this work and her extensive experience in high-risk environments is highly suited to this area.
If you need a pre-sentencing report, you are welcome to book an appointment in with Dr Pauline Baleta. It is usually best to have your attorney send a letter or email to reception@visionpsychology.com so that Dr Baleta is aware of exactly what the courts have requested as they differ from case to case. Pre-sentencing reports usually involve two to three individual sessions, the administration of the assessments and the collection of the collateral information as well as the time taken to read any additional information collected and compile the report. The cost for these varies from case to case. Feel free to give us a call on 07 3088 5422 for further information of the costs involved.
To make an appointment with Dr Pauline Baleta try Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call Vision Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3088 5422 or M1 Psychology on (07) 3067 9129.