Sentences handed down after a federal conviction typically include a term of supervised release usually under the auspices of the U.S. Probation Department. Most of the time, a defendant easily can anticipate the conditions of such supervised release, some of which are mandated by law. However, courts also have wide latitude in imposing non-mandatory conditions to the extent that they: 1) are reasonably related to the nature of the offense and the statutory goals of deterrence, rehabilitation and public safety; 2) involve no greater deprivation of liberty than is reasonably necessary to achieve those goals; and 3) are consistent with any pertinent policy statements set forth in the Sentencing Guidelines.1
Supervised release conditions, typically delivered at sentencing after the announcement of any term of imprisonment and restitution amounts, may seem secondary at the time, but can have a significant impact on a defendant upon release from prison. Many federal defendants are in need of this probationary period and the guidance of an experienced probation officer to steer them in the right direction.
