Question

Which of the following about probation is false?

1) Discretion in probation exists at the point of sentencing.

2) Probation officers use discretion during supervision.

3) Probation officers have discretion when choosing which probationers to supervise.

4) Discretion is present when probation officers decide to file violation reports.

Answer 1

The false statement about probation is that probation officers have discretion when choosing which probationers to supervise, as they are usually assigned cases and do not choose them. The correct option is 3.

Step-by-step explanation:

When examining the statements about probation, the false statement is number 3: Probation officers have discretion when choosing which probationers to supervise.

In reality, probation officers are typically assigned cases and do not have the discretion to choose which individuals they supervise.

This is in contrast with other statements where discretion does exist, such as during the point of sentencing (judges can decide whether to grant probation), during supervision (probation officers exercise discretion in managing their caseloads and enforcing conditions of probation).

And when deciding to file violation reports (probation officers evaluate the behavior of probationers and use their judgement to file a report when violations occur). The correct option is 3.