Central California Probation and Pretrial Services Office

The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Central District of California serves the Court by investigating and supervising individuals convicted of federal crimes. Some examples of federal crimes include interstate drug crimes, tax evasion, major frauds, cybercrimes, and immigration violations.

The Central District of California is the largest of 94 federal judicial districts by population (over 18 million people). We are headquartered in the U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles, with 11 additional offices throughout the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, covering 39,990 square miles.

Within our district, a U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer (USPPSO) works in the following areas of the federal criminal justice process: Gather and verify information about individuals who come before judges to allow them to make release decisions (Pretrial Services Bail Unit) and provide independent and objective investigation prior to the individual being sentenced as to assist the Court in determining an appropriate sentence (Presentence Unit). Additionally, USPPSOs supervise individuals following their release on bond and sentencing (Pretrial Services and Post Conviction Supervision Units). Officers in the Post Conviction supervision unit also supervise individuals released on parole by the U.S. Parole Commission, military parole cases, and those previously sentenced within the District of Columbia.

Our mission is to assist and serve the federal courts in the fair administration of justice, protect the community, and promote long term positive change in individuals under supervision.

We are not county probation or state parole. Please visit our site's links & resources page or http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Parole for further information.

Who We Are:

The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System is

• the community corrections arm of the federal judiciary.
• part of the U.S. district courts.
• a key player in the federal criminal justice process at both the pretrial and post-conviction stages.
• a national system of employees, who include probation and pretrial services officers and officer assistants; information technology, budget, and human resources professionals; and support staff.
• a national system with a shared mission, professional identity, goals, and values.

 Download Complete U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System Fact Sheet.

What We Do

U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officers, considered the "eyes and ears" of the federal courts, investigate and supervise persons charged with or convicted of federal crimes. Officers

• gather and verify information about persons who come before the courts.
• prepare reports that the courts rely on to make release and sentencing decisions.
• supervise persons released to the community by the courts and paroling authorities.
• direct persons under supervision to services to help them stay on the right side of the law, including substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, medical care, training, and employment assistance

Mission

• To assist the federal courts in the fair administration of justice.
• To protect the community.
• To bring about long-term positive change in individuals under supervision.
• Charter for Excellence (pdf)