Presentence service officers

(a) The commissioner of correction shall appoint presentence service officers for each court having criminal jurisdiction. These officers may be the existing probation officers. Presentence service officers shall conduct investigations and make reports to sentencing courts relating to the imposition of sentences on defendants. (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.(b) With permission of the court, and if the commissioner determines that it will not interfere with their other duties, the presentence service officers may: (1) Assist courts or other judicial officers in developing information relating to the setting of bail or other pretrial release or detention decisions; and (2) Develop information about defendants relating to the selection of a defendant for particular correctional programs.