(a) Either at the time of the arrest for a crime of any person over 16 years of age, or at the time of the plea or verdict of guilty, the probation officer of the county of the jurisdiction of the crime shall, when so directed by the court, inquire into the antecedents, character, history, family environment and offense of that person. The probation officer shall report that information to the court and file a written report in the records of the court. The report shall contain his or her recommendation for or against the release of the person on probation.
(b) If that person is released on probation and committed to the care of the probation officer, the officer shall keep a complete and accurate record of the history of the case in court and of the name of the probation officer, and his or her acts in connection with the case. This information shall include the age, sex, nativity, residence, education, habits of temperance, marital status, and the conduct, employment, occupation, parents’ occupation, and the condition of the person committed to his or her care during the term of probation, and the result of probation. This record shall constitute a part of the records of the court and shall at all times be open to the inspection of the court or any person appointed by the court for that purpose, as well as of all magistrates and the chief of police or other head of the police, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
(c) Five years after termination of probation in any case subject to this section, the probation officer may destroy any records and papers in his or her possession relating to the case.
(d) The probation officer shall furnish to each person released on probation and committed to his or her care, a written statement of the terms and conditions of probation, and shall report to the court or judge appointing him or her, any violation or breach of the terms and conditions imposed by the court on the person placed in his or her care.
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 296, Sec. 25.1. Effective January 1, 2004.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018