FAQs

General

Q: How do I have my conviction expunged?

Answer

Federal convictions cannot be expunged. However, you may apply for a Presidential Pardon. Any person convicted of a felony in Federal court is eligible to file a petition for a Presidential Pardon under the following circumstances, although some exceptions may apply:

The individual is no longer serving the sentence and is not under parole, probation, or supervised release;
Five years have passed since release from confinement or if confinement was not imposed, five years from the date of conviction; and
A waiting period of seven years is required for more serious offenses, including violations of narcotic laws, income tax laws, perjury, violation of public trust involving dishonesty, violent crimes, gun control laws, fraud involving substantial sums of money, violations involving organized crime, and other crimes of a serious nature.

It is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney to assist you with the process. Pardon applications may be obtained by making a written request to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, at the following address:

Office of the Pardon Attorney

United States Department of Justice

1425 New York Ave NW

Suite 11000

Washington, DC 20530

Q: Where can I find the probation or pretrial service office mailing address?

Answer

See our Office Locations.

Q: What is the presentence investigation phase of a case?

Answer

Presentence investigation occurs after a defendant enters a plea of guilty to a federal offense or is convicted by trial. During this phase, a probation officer interviews the defendant to gather information on the defendant's background. From the interviews and investigation, The probation officer develops a presentence report for the court that the judge uses to determine the appopriate sentence for the defendant.

Read more about presentence investigation.

Q: What is supervision?

Answer

Supervision in the federal system is:

A core responsibility of U.S. probation and pretrial services officers, along with investigation.
A way to monitor the activities and behavior of people released to the community by the federal courts or paroling authorities.
An opportunity to help offenders reintegrate into the community following a period of incarceration.
In the case of probation, a punishment that is less severe than imprisonment, but still holds people accountable for breaking the law.
An alternative to jail or prison that costs less than incarceration and gives people charged with or convicted of federal crimes the opportunity to live with their families, hold jobs, and be productive members of society.

Q: If I am convicted of a Federal crime, am I permitted to hunt?

Answer

An individual convicted of a felony offense is prohibited from possessing a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), but is not prohibited from hunting consistent with state regulations.

Provided that they are not subject to probation/supervised release conditions prohibiting the possession of a dangerous weapon, felons may hunt with bows and/or black powder rifles.

Q: I have been found guilty in Federal Court, what happens next?

Answer

Most likely the judge has ordered a presentence report that will be used at your sentencing hearing. Your case will be assigned to a U.S. Probation Officer for the preparation of the presentence report, which will include a personal interview with you.

Q: How do I get a certified copy of a document?

Answer

You may request a certified copy of a document by contacting the clerk’s office.

There is a fee associated with obtaining the certified document. Prepayment is required to obtain certified copies. The request should include the case number, document number, and a check or money order.

Q: I have a friend/family member who is in prison. How do I find out where he is being held?

Answer

If your friend/family member was convicted in Federal court, he most likely is held in a prison operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This information is publicly available via the Federal Bureau of Prisons website with the Inmate Locator.

Q: I am owed court-ordered restitution, who do I contact to get my money?

Answer

The U.S. Probation Office is not authorized to release information regarding payments received and distributed by criminal defendants. Please contact the U.S. District Court Clerk for information if you believe you are owed court-ordered restitution.

Q: I owe restitution for my crime. Who do I pay?

Answer

All payments for fines, fees, restitution and special assessments ordered by the judge in your case are to be paid to the U.S. District Court Clerk in the district in which you were convicted. Please include your name and case number on your cashier’s check or money order.

The address for the Eastern District of Louisiana is:

U.S.CLERK'S OFFICE

ATTN.: FINANCIAL SECTION

500 POYDRAS STREET

ROOM C151

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70130

Q: What type of identification do I need when reporting to the probation office?

Answer

All persons entering the United States Courthouse must present a valid picture ID. Visitors are required to pass through a magnetometer and have all belongings and packages subject to physical and/or x-ray examination. If you are an offender reporting subsequent to release from an institution or residential re-entry center, please bring with you any release documents you received.

Q: What is the difference between probation, parole, and supervised release?

Answer

Probation is a term of community supervision imposed by the Court in lieu of a prison sentence. Parole is a period of community supervision imposed by the United States Parole Commission to be completed after release from a prison term. Supervised release is a period of community supervision imposed by the Court to be completed after release from a jail or prison sentence.

Q: I am on supervision with your office. Where can I travel?

Answer

Your bond or sentencing judgment sets forth the Court’s order regarding your travel. If your travel is restricted to the judicial district, our judicial district is the Eastern District of Louisiana. It is comprised of the following 13 parishes: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington

Q: Can I vote while on supervision?

Answer

If you have been convicted of a felony, your right to vote is suspended while you are imprisoned or under parole or supervised release. Your right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of imprisonment, parole, supervised release or you have received a Presidential Pardon.

Q: How can a family member currently convicted request a transfer?

Answer

The offender must request transfer of jurisdiction from his Bureau of Prisons Case Manager. When the request is made by the case manager, the U.S. Probation Office will conduct an investigation to determine whether the offender can reside in this district and will report its findings to the Bureau of Prisons.

Q: I am owed court-ordered restitution, who do I contact to get my money?

Answer

Q: If I am convicted of a Federal crime, can I own or possess a firearm?

Answer

A person convicted of a Federal felony may not own, possess, or have custody of any type of firearm, including ammunition. If you are convicted of being in possession of a firearm, it would be punishable as a felony under Louisiana State Law, Federal Law and if it occurs while you are on supervision, it would be a violation of your supervision.

Louisiana State firearm privileges are restored to a person convicted of a Federal felony only after a Presidential Pardon is received.

Federal firearms laws independently prohibit convicted felons from possessing any firearms. For Federal offenders, this disability is removed by a full Presidential Pardon. Previously, relief could also be obtained from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 925(c); however, this method has not been funded by Congress since fiscal year 1992.

Post Conviction

Q: I am an employer and I want to know if a prospective employee has been convicted of a crime, can you run a background check?

Answer

The U.S. Probation Office is restricted from disclosing information to the public. However, most convictions are generally available in public records. These records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk.

Q: What are the standard conditions of probation the court must impose?

Answer

Individuals on supervision are required by the Court to abide by certain rules. These rules are called the conditions of supervision. They are basically the same whether the person is on probation, parole, military parole, mandatory release, or supervised release.

For a list of conditions, see the the standard conditions of probation.

Q: I know of a family member who is on Federal probation/supervised release, can you tell me what crime they committed?

Answer

The U.S. Probation Office is restricted from disclosing information to the public, which includes family members. However, most convictions can be found in public records. These public records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk.

Q: Can the probation office tell me if someone is on supervision?

Answer

The fact that an individual is on supervision due to pretrial release, a probation sentence or a term of supervised release is a matter of public record, obtainable through the U. S. Probation Office. We can relay that public information and can also advise if an individual is on parole. We cannot, however, disclose any additional file information. You may speak with the supervising officer to provide information that may be of assistance in the supervision of any individual under our supervision, including the reporting of apparent violation behavior.

Q: What is the difference between probation, parole, and supervised release?

Answer

Q: I was just released from a federal prison or residential re-entry center. When should I report to the probation office?

Answer

You should report to the federal probation office in the district to which you are released within 72 hours. If you are released on a Friday, you should report by the next business day.

Failure to report will constitute grounds for a violation of supervised release.

Q: I am on supervision with your office. Where can I travel?

Answer

Q: How do I request to travel outside the judicial district?

Answer

For probation, supervised release, and parole clients, travel generally is to be requested at least two weeks in advance. You should submit a written request for permission to travel to your supervising officer which is best done by email and then await approval from your supervising officer. Generally travel is not permitted during the first 60 days of supervision.

Q: While I am on probation or supervised release, will my probation officer contact my employer and/or visit me at my job?

Answer

Verifying your employment is an important role of your supervising probation officer. Your probation officer will discuss with you how verification of employment will be accomplished in your circumstances.

Q: How can I get off probation or supervised release supervision early?

Answer

You are eligible to request early termination from probation or supervised release under the following circumstances: (1) After you have completed at least one year of supervision, you can request your attorney to petition the Court, or (2) after you have completed one half of your term of supervision, you can request early termination through your U.S. Probation Officer. If you have been convicted of a serious felony and/or have a history of violence, your case will not be considered for early termination.

Pretrial

Q: I have been sentenced and waiting to be told where to report to serve my sentence. Do I report to my U.S. Probation Office until I am assigned to a prison?

Answer

If you were released on bond with pretrial supervision, you are still required to report to your U.S. Pretrial Services officer until you report to prison. Failure to abide by these conditions after sentencing could result in arrest and remand for immediate service of the sentence.

Q: What is the difference between probation, parole, and supervised release?

Answer

Q: I am on supervision with your office. Where can I travel?

Answer

Q: How do I request to travel outside the judicial district?

Answer

For clients on Pretrial Services supervision, your bond conditions will determine whether or not permission is required before traveling outside your authorized area. In order to avoid violating the conditions of your release, contact your officer for guidance.

Q: While I am on supervised release, will my officer contact my employer and/or visit me at my job?

Answer

Verifying your employment is an important role of your supervising officer. Your officer will discuss with you how verification of employment will be accomplished in your circumstances.

Presentence

Q: What is a presentence investigation or presentence report?

Answer

The presentence investigation is conducted when a person enters a guilty plea or receives a guilty verdict following a trial. Investigations include interviews with the defendant, family members, employers, and law enforcement officials to gather and/or verify background information. During this process, probation officers review court, school, military, financial, and employment records. The officer uses the information gathered to assess the offender's living conditions, family relationships, community ties, and drug use. Based on their investigations, officers prepare reports that the court relies on to make informed release decisions and choose fair sentences. (MIEP)

Q: What will happen after the judge orders a presentence report?

Answer

If you are out on bond, the probation officer will contact you or your attorney to set up a time to come into the office for the interview. Presentence interviews generally last for about an hour. When you show up for the interview, it is helpful if you have filled out the forms and gathered the necessary information before you arrive. The forms and a list of necessary information can be found here.

If you are in custody, the probation officer will contact your attorney to arrange either a teleconference or in-person interview at the facility where you are housed.

Q: What information do I need to provide for my presentence report?

Answer

The probation officer will request copies of your pay stubs, bill statements, credit card statements, outstanding loan statements, medical treatment or prescription medication records, military discharge documents, and educational records. If you own your own business, the probation officer will also need copies of tax records for your corporation as well as your personal records. The probation officer may request more or less information that what is listed here, based on your unique situation.

Q: What is in a presentence report?

Answer

The presentence report includes the offense conduct for the current case, the guidelines calculation based on that conduct, victim statements, the defendant’s criminal history, the defendant’s personal history, and an outline of the guideline range of penalties applicable to the defendant.

Q: What do I do if I don’t agree with some of the information in the presentence report?

Answer

If you have not been sentenced, contact your attorney with your concerns. You attorney will then file objections to the presentence report, which the probation officer will be required to answer.

Q: Can I get a copy of the presentence report?

Answer

Only the parties to the case (the government and the defendant) can receive copies of the presentence report.

Q: What is my report used for?

Answer

Before sentencing, the judge will look at the presentence report to help understand the offense, the defendant’s personal and criminal history, and the sentencing guidelines applicable to the offense, when determining what the sentence will be.

After sentencing, the Bureau of Prisons will use the presentence report for initial classification, visiting lists, and pre-qualification for certain treatment programs.

United States Probation Office

Eastern District of Louisiana

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FAQs

General

Post Conviction

Pretrial

Presentence