Mission Statement

As a major partner in the justice system, In collaboration with public and private entities, We will strive to increase opportunities through cost-effective Programs for offenders at risk, to experience success in socially And legally acceptable ways. For those who chose not to make positive changes, We will recommend and impose consequences, Thereby holding offenders accountable and protecting public interest and safety.

Probation Services

The Bryan Municipal Probation Department is responsible for conducting pre-sentence investigations as ordered by the Bryan Municipal Court. After sentencing the probation department shall supervise any order of the court which may include anger management treatment, attendance at AA/NA classes, drug and alcohol treatment, participation in the V.O. R. P. Program, cognitive behavioral treatment, parenting classes, drug testing, community service, restitution and domestic violence treatment.

Some of the services provided by the Bryan Municipal Probation Department include:

  • Thinking For A Change:

    Thinking for a Change approaches thinking as a skill that can be learned, developed and demonstrated. This course is designed to help offender's thinking performance during life situations.

  • Resume Writing:

    The probation Department will help the offender prepare a resume and cover letter. The offender will gain the skills necessary to update this document whenever the need arises.

  • Anger Control Classes:

    This course will help offenders deal with their anger in an appropriate manner. The offenders will use role playing and peer evaluations to gain a better understanding of how their own actions could cause additional stress in their own lives.

  • Hands Down Domestic Violence Treatment:

    This program provides lessons on positive communication skills, anger and stress management, thinking skills and relationships. It will help the individual understand why he/she acts out violently and how to respond appropriately.

  • Community Service Work Programs:

    Community Service Work (CSW) is a Restorative Justice based sentencing option, offering offenders the opportunity to give back to the community while being held accountable for their crimes.

Probation Questions

What is a Presentence Investigation?

After you enter a guilty plea or after you are found guilty by the judge or jury, the court orders a Presentence Investigation (PSI). In some states, the court orders a PSI for cases where a deferred judgment or suspended sentence has been stipulated. Officers of the court, usually probation officers, conduct the investigation, gather the background information about you and your case, and summarize the results of the investigation in a written report, the Presentence Investigation Report.


What is a Presentence Investigation Report?

A Presentence Investigation Report (PSIR) is a written document that contains background information about you, including your personal history. The PSIR is also sometimes referred to as the application for probation, although not everyone who has a PSIR completed is granted probation by the court. The PSIR provides key information that sociologists have determined to be important sentencing factors.

These factors, along with your case information, are evaluated by the judge and used to impose an appropriate and just sentence that is in compliance with state statutes or criminal code. The information is also used to measure the likeliness of your success or failure on probation supervision. It helps the court and judge to determine how you can best be monitored and supervised so that you are less likely to commit another crime.


What is a Presentence Investigation Report?

The PSIR consists of the following sections:

  • Cover Sheet
  • Offense Summary
  • Plea Agreement Information
  • Criminal History
    • Previous Adult Felony Convictions
    • Additional Criminal History
    • Pending Case Information
  • Victim Impact Statement or Statements
  • Restitution
  • Personal History
  • Financial Statement
  • Treatment Section
  • Summary
  • Recommendation

What Goes Into A Report?

The Presentence Investigation Report consists of information about your past criminal history; who your acquaintances are; information about your family who raised you; who is currently a part of your life including siblings, spouses and children, dependants, or grandchildren; your employment history; your education; your substance abuse issues; and your treatment history.

The PSI writer will not only be asking you questions, but he or she will notice how and at what level you are cooperating with and answering the questions.

The Bryan Municipal Probation Department works hand in hand with Williams County Victim Assistance to obtain information important to the sentencing of an offender.


What Is a Victim Impact Statement and How Is It Used?

As a crime victim, you have the opportunity to use this Victim Impact Statement to describe how this crime affected you and others close to you. This statement has space for you to write about the physical, emotional, and financial effects of this crime, as well as any other changes in your life you may have experienced. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty after trial, your impact statement will help the judge understand how this crime has affected you and those close to you.


Filling out this statement is voluntary

You do not have to fill out a victim impact statement. However, it may be helpful to the judge when he or she decides what sentence the defendant should receive and/or any money the defendant may have to pay you for expenses you have paid or owe because of this crime. When the judge makes the defendant pay the victim it is called "restitution." If the judge orders the defendant to pay you restitution, there is no guarantee that the defendant will be able to pay the entire amount.

Your statement will become an official court document after it is given to the court, and will become part of the defendant's permanent file. The judge, prosecutor and probation officer will read your statement. In addition, prison and parole officials may read your statement if the defendant is sentenced to a prison term. The defendant and the defendant's attorney will also be able to read what you have written. They may even be able to ask you questions about your statement in court. However, the defendant will not be able to see your address and telephone number because you are not asked to put them on your statement.

No one knows better than you how this crime may have changed your life. Those of us involved in your case believe that it is very important for you to help the court understand all of the ways this crime has affected you and those near you. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this information.


Suggestions for Completing Your Impact Statement

The following suggestions are offered only as a guide in filling out this form. Feel free to write in your own words how this crime has affected you and those close to you. Please answer as many questions as you wish. If a question makes you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to answer it. If you need more space or you wish to provide information in a different way, please use as much paper as you need, and attach the pages to this form when you return it. If you feel uncomfortable in any way using this form, you may write a letter to the judge and tell him or her how this crime has affected you and those close to you.

The first part of the impact statement asks you three questions about:

  • The emotional impact of this crime on you and those close to you
  • The physical effects of this crime
  • The effect of the crime on your ability to work or do any of the things you normally do, such as going to school, running a household, or any other activities you normally perform or enjoy.

If you have paid or owe any money for bills because of this crime, please fill out the financial impact section of the statement. It is important to be as accurate and complete as possible when listing your costs because this information will be used by the prosecutor, probation officer and the judge to help them determine what restitution the defendant must pay to you, the victim. Some examples of expenses you may have paid or owe include medical bills or supplies; eyeglass or hearing aid replacement or repair; counseling costs; lost wages or support; funeral expenses; lost, stolen or damaged property which may include crime scene cleanup; and the repair or replacement of door locks and security devices. It is important to attach copies of any bills or other proof of any money you have spent or expect to spend in the future.

In addition to medical or counseling bills, you may want to include any time off from work that you were not paid for as a result of this crime. For example, if you took time off from work to go to the doctor or courthouse, and your employer did not pay you for this time, you may want to ask the judge to think about these expenses when he or she decides if the defendant will owe you any restitution.