The U.S. Probation Office is restricted from disclosing information to the public, which includes family members. However, most convictions can be found in public records. These public records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk.

The District of Massachusetts is comprises only the state of Massachusetts.  You are allowed to travel freely within the state but are required to report any in-state travel of 72 hours or more. Unless you are given permission in advance by the judge in your case, any requests to travel outside of the state must be approved in advance by your U.S. Probation Officer.  Failure to do so may result in a violation of your supervision. 

If you reside near the border of another state, speak to your Probation Officer about obtaining limited permission to travel to that state.

The U.S. Probation Office is restricted from disclosing information to the public. However, most convictions are generally available in public records. These records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk.

For information regarding child support, visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement Website:  www.mass.gov/dor/child-support.

You can also contact them by telephone at 800-332-2733.  They can be contacted by email through their website.  

The U.S. Probation Office is not authorized to release information regarding payments received and distributed by criminal defendants. Please contact the U.S. District Court Clerk for information if you believe you are owed court-ordered restitution.

Most likely the judge has ordered a presentence report that will be used at your sentencing hearing. Your case will be assigned to a U.S. Probation Officer for the preparation of the presentence report, which will include a personal interview with you.  The Probation Officer or your attorney will contact you to schedule an interview.  In the interim, you can prepare by reviewing and completing the relevant Presentence Forms.

Supervision in the federal system is:

• A core responsibility of U.S. probation and pretrial services officers, along with investigation.
• A way to monitor the activities and behavior of people released to the community by the federal courts or paroling authorities.
• An opportunity to help offenders reintegrate into the community following a period of incarceration.
• In the case of probation, a punishment that is less severe than imprisonment, but still holds people accountable for breaking the law.
• An alternative to jail or prison that costs less than incarceration and gives people charged with or convicted of federal crimes the opportunity to live with their families, hold jobs, and be productive members of society.

Read more about supervision.

See our Office Locations.

Federal convictions cannot be expunged. However, you may apply for a Presidential Pardon. Any person convicted of a felony in Federal court is eligible to file a petition for a Presidential Pardon under the following circumstances, although some exceptions may apply:

• The individual is no longer serving the sentence and is not under parole, probation, or supervised release;
• Five years have passed since release from confinement or if confinement was not imposed, five years from the date of conviction; and
• A waiting period of seven years is required for more serious offenses, including violations of narcotic laws, income tax laws, perjury, violation of public trust involving dishonesty, violent crimes, gun control laws, fraud involving substantial sums of money, violations involving organized crime, and other crimes of a serious nature.

It is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney to assist you with the process. Pardon applications may be obtained by making a written request to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, at the following address:

Office of the Pardon Attorney United States Department of Justice 1425 New York Ave NW, Suite 11000, Washington, DC 20530.