California

Criminal Procedure

Criminal Procedure

Rule 4.413 – Grant of probation when defendant is presumptively ineligible for probation

(a)Consideration of eligibility

The court must determine whether the defendant is eligible for probation.In most cases, the defendant is presumptively eligible for probation; in some cases, the defendant is presumptively ineligible; and in some cases, probation is not allowed.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2018; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(b)Probation in cases when defendant is presumptively ineligible

If the defendant comes under a statutory provision prohibiting probation “except in unusual cases where the interests of justice would best be served,” or a substantially equivalent provision, the court should apply the criteria in (c) to evaluate whether the statutory limitation on probation is overcome; and if it is, the court should then apply the criteria in rule 4.414 to decide whether to grant probation.

(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2018; previously amended effective July 1, 2003, and January 1, 2007.)

(c)Factors overcoming the presumption of ineligibility

The following factors may indicate the existence of an unusual case in which probation may be granted if otherwise appropriate:

(1)factors relating to basis for limitation on probation

A factor or circumstance indicating that the basis for the statutory limitation on probation, although technically present, is not fully applicable to the case, including:

(A) The factor or circumstance giving rise to the limitation on probation is, in this case, substantially less serious than the circumstances typically present in other cases involving the same probation limitation, and the defendant has no recent record of committing similar crimes or crimes of violence; and
(B) The current offense is less serious than a prior felony conviction that is the cause of the limitation on probation, and the defendant has been free from incarceration and serious violation of the law for a substantial time before the current offense.
(2) Factors limiting defendant’s culpability

A factor or circumstance not amounting to a defense, but reducing the defendant’s culpability for the offense, including:

(A) The defendant participated in the crime under circumstances of great provocation, coercion, or duress not amounting to a defense, and the defendant has no recent record of committing crimes of violence;
(B) The crime was committed because of a mental condition not amounting to a defense, and there is a high likelihood that the defendant would respond favorably to mental health care and treatment that would be required as a condition of probation; and
(C) The defendant is youthful or aged, and has no significant record of prior criminal offenses.
(3) Results of risk/needs assessment

Along with all other relevant information in the case, the court may consider the results of a risk/needs assessment of the defendant, if one was performed. The weight of a risk/needs assessment is for the court to consider in its sentencing discretion.

(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2018; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

Cal. R. Ct. 4.413

Rule 4.413 amended effective January 1, 2018; amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 413 effective January 1, 1991; previously renumbered effective January 1, 2001; previously amended effective July 1, 2003.

Advisory Committee Comment

Subdivision (c)(3). Standard 4.35 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration provides courts with additional guidance on using the results of a risk/needs assessment at sentencing.