Probation History

By beckjv19

  • The Beginning

    John Augustus attended police court to bail out a "common drunkard," the first probationer. The offender was ordered to appear in court three weeks later for sentencing. He returned to court a sober man, accompanied by Augustus. To the astonishment of all in attendance, his appearance and demeanor had dramatically changed.

  • Probation Act

    The Probation Act of 1925, signed by President Calvin Coolidge, provided for a probation system in the federal courts (except in the District of Columbia).

  • The First Probation Officer

    The first federal probation officer, Richard McSweeney, is appointed in the District of Massachusetts

  • Speedy Act Trial

    Congress enacted the Speedy Trial Act. The goal was to reduce crime by persons released to the community pending trial and to reduce unnecessary pretrial detention.

  • The Pretrial Services Act

    President Ronald Reagan signed the Pretrial Services Act of 1982. The Act authorized expansion of pretrial services from the ten demonstration districts to every federal judicial district (except the District of Columbia). It granted an 18-month evaluation period for each court to decide whether to establish separate pretrial services offices or provide pretrial services through the probation office.