CSO Certification Exam 2023 Questions and Answers
Complete
What is community supervision?
criminal proceedings are deferred without an adjudication of guilt; or a sentence of
imprisonment or confinement, imprisonment and a fine or confinement and a fine is
probated and the imposition of the sentence is suspended on part of whole.
4 Types of community supervision in Texas
1. regular community supervision (f/m)
2. deferred adjudication community supervision (f/m)
3. shock community supervision
4. state jail felony
5 advantages of Community Supervision
1. a considerable tax savings to the citizens
2. probationers "pay their own way"
3. contribute to the community by the doing CSR
4. failure to comply w/ conditions can be incarcerated for the full term of imprisonment of
the ORIGINAL sentence
5. community supervision provides courts w/ continuum of programs and sanctions
3 parts of the Texas Criminal Justice System
1. Law enforcement - investigates and apprehends
2. The Courts - determine the guilt and sentence of def
3. Corrections - provides facilities for the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted
offenders including parole
5 Roles of a CSO in Texas
Agent of change
Protector of society
Investigator
Collector and monitor of court Ordered monies Broker of community resources
Agent of change
provides services to assist the probationer in making behavioral changes
Protector of society
enforces the terms of community supervision and reports non-compliance
Investigator
investigates on behalf of the court generally limited to pre-sentence investigations and
investigations of community supervision violations
Collector & monitor of court ordered monies
monitors the probationer's payments on all court - ordered monies
Broker of community resources
locates resources within the community and utilizes these resources effectively
4 Guidelines for building cooperative "court family"
1. respect the state attorney & judges authority to make decisions that are contrary to
yours opinions and recommendations.
2. familiarize yourself w/ the courts and your supervision responsibilities
3. resolve conflict professionally - refrain from making critical comments about other
, court personnel
4. remain publically non-political during local elections
5 purposes of intake session
1. setting the tone- establish rapport and mutual trust and respect
2. clarifying roles - explain responsibilities/ cso - to protect community and work with
probationers to resolve problems dealing with illegal behaviors
3. explain the conditions of community supervision
4. explain departmental policies and procedures
5. provide an overview of diminished rights
4 conditions of community supervision that cause conflict
1. avoid injurious or vicious habits including drugs and alcohol
2. avoid persons or places of disreputable or harmful character
3. remain in a specified area
4. pay your court costs and fees
4 major functions of CJAD
1. allow localities to develop effective sanctions for defendants
2. provide increase opportunities for defendants t make restitution
3. provide increased use of community penalties based on local needs
4. promote efficiency/economy in the delivery of community based correctional
programs
Code of Ethics
maintain high standards of honesty, integrity & impartiality, uphold laws, do not
discriminate or sexually harass, maintain confidentiality, and do not use position for
personal gain.
7 steps of Criminal Justice process
1. charge
2. plea
3. evidence
4. findings
5. assessment of punishment
6. imposition of suspension or punishment
7. execution of punishment
charge
prosecution of criminal action begins with state filing a charging instrument.
plea
three types - guilty, no contest, not guilty
evidence
the presentation of evidence is known as a trial - Texas 2 part - trial on guilt or
innocence and then on sentencing
findings
finding of guilty or not guilty by jury or judge
assessment of punishment
if the def is found guilty the judge will assess punishment
imposition/punishment
prison or jail sentence or community supervision starts with this
execution of punishment
Complete
What is community supervision?
criminal proceedings are deferred without an adjudication of guilt; or a sentence of
imprisonment or confinement, imprisonment and a fine or confinement and a fine is
probated and the imposition of the sentence is suspended on part of whole.
4 Types of community supervision in Texas
1. regular community supervision (f/m)
2. deferred adjudication community supervision (f/m)
3. shock community supervision
4. state jail felony
5 advantages of Community Supervision
1. a considerable tax savings to the citizens
2. probationers "pay their own way"
3. contribute to the community by the doing CSR
4. failure to comply w/ conditions can be incarcerated for the full term of imprisonment of
the ORIGINAL sentence
5. community supervision provides courts w/ continuum of programs and sanctions
3 parts of the Texas Criminal Justice System
1. Law enforcement - investigates and apprehends
2. The Courts - determine the guilt and sentence of def
3. Corrections - provides facilities for the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted
offenders including parole
5 Roles of a CSO in Texas
Agent of change
Protector of society
Investigator
Collector and monitor of court Ordered monies Broker of community resources
Agent of change
provides services to assist the probationer in making behavioral changes
Protector of society
enforces the terms of community supervision and reports non-compliance
Investigator
investigates on behalf of the court generally limited to pre-sentence investigations and
investigations of community supervision violations
Collector & monitor of court ordered monies
monitors the probationer's payments on all court - ordered monies
Broker of community resources
locates resources within the community and utilizes these resources effectively
4 Guidelines for building cooperative "court family"
1. respect the state attorney & judges authority to make decisions that are contrary to
yours opinions and recommendations.
2. familiarize yourself w/ the courts and your supervision responsibilities
3. resolve conflict professionally - refrain from making critical comments about other
, court personnel
4. remain publically non-political during local elections
5 purposes of intake session
1. setting the tone- establish rapport and mutual trust and respect
2. clarifying roles - explain responsibilities/ cso - to protect community and work with
probationers to resolve problems dealing with illegal behaviors
3. explain the conditions of community supervision
4. explain departmental policies and procedures
5. provide an overview of diminished rights
4 conditions of community supervision that cause conflict
1. avoid injurious or vicious habits including drugs and alcohol
2. avoid persons or places of disreputable or harmful character
3. remain in a specified area
4. pay your court costs and fees
4 major functions of CJAD
1. allow localities to develop effective sanctions for defendants
2. provide increase opportunities for defendants t make restitution
3. provide increased use of community penalties based on local needs
4. promote efficiency/economy in the delivery of community based correctional
programs
Code of Ethics
maintain high standards of honesty, integrity & impartiality, uphold laws, do not
discriminate or sexually harass, maintain confidentiality, and do not use position for
personal gain.
7 steps of Criminal Justice process
1. charge
2. plea
3. evidence
4. findings
5. assessment of punishment
6. imposition of suspension or punishment
7. execution of punishment
charge
prosecution of criminal action begins with state filing a charging instrument.
plea
three types - guilty, no contest, not guilty
evidence
the presentation of evidence is known as a trial - Texas 2 part - trial on guilt or
innocence and then on sentencing
findings
finding of guilty or not guilty by jury or judge
assessment of punishment
if the def is found guilty the judge will assess punishment
imposition/punishment
prison or jail sentence or community supervision starts with this
execution of punishment
