California Rule of Court 4.414 list the criteria affecting the decision to grant or deny probation include facts relating to the crime and facts relating to the defendant.
(a) Facts relating to the crime
Facts relating to the crime include:
- The nature, seriousness, and circumstances of the crime as compared to other instances of the same crime;
- Whether the defendant was armed with or used a weapon;
- The vulnerability of the victim;
- Whether the defendant inflicted physical or emotional injury;
- The degree of monetary loss to the victim;
- Whether the defendant was an active or a passive participant;
- Whether the crime was committed because of an unusual circumstance, such as great provocation, which is unlikely to recur;
- Whether the manner in which the crime was carried out demonstrated criminal sophistication or professionalism on the part of the defendant; and
- Whether the defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the crime.
(b) Facts relating to the defendant
Facts relating to the defendant include:
- Prior record of criminal conduct, whether as an adult or a juvenile, including the recency and frequency of prior crimes; and whether the prior record indicates a pattern of regular or increasingly serious criminal conduct;
- Prior performance and present status on probation, mandatory supervision, postrelease community supervision, or parole;
- Willingness to comply with the terms of probation;
- Ability to comply with reasonable terms of probation as indicated by the defendant’s age, education, health, mental faculties, history of alcohol or other substance abuse, family background and ties, employment and military service history, and other relevant factors;
- The likely effect of imprisonment on the defendant and his or her dependents;
- The adverse collateral consequences on the defendant’s life resulting from the felony conviction;
- Whether the defendant is remorseful; and
- The likelihood that if not imprisoned the defendant will be a danger to others.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2017; previously amended effective January 1, 1991, July 1, 2003, and January 1, 2007.)
(c)Suitability for probation
In determining the suitability of the defendant for probation, the court may consider factors in aggravation and mitigation, whether or not the factors have been stipulated to by the defendant or found true beyond a reasonable doubt at trial by a jury or the judge in a court trial.