Texas CSO Certification Study Guide
with Complete Solutions
#1 probationer risk factor: - ANSWER--antisocial attitudes
10 guidelines for asking interview questions: - ANSWER--know the objective of the
question
-use open-ended questions
-avoid rapid-fire questions
-avoid double-barrelled questions
-keep questions simple and brief
-probe when necessary
-be positive
-don't ask 'why'
-questions should be relevant to supervision
-avoid judgmental or biased questions
14 principles of good documentation: - ANSWER--should be completed as soon as
possible after the event
-all entries must be dated
-keep your documentation brief and to the point
-do not back date an entry
-document all telephone call and collateral contacts relevant to the case
-use only approved abbreviations and acronyms
-include only factual information
-never delete an existing electronic entry
-when handwriting an entry, do not scratch out, erase or use white out
-if handwriting, write legibly
-if handwriting, use blue or black ink
-sign all entries, either by hand or electronically
-if filling out forms, do not leave blank spaces
-when documenting, known and follow the policies and procedure of your department
2 areas you are not allowed to override in the TRAS assessment: - ANSWER--individual
items in the assessment
-overall TRAS score
2 issues determining whether Miranda warning should be given prior to questioning: -
ANSWER--information could be used in a criminal trial on new charge
AND
-probationer is in custody
2 main reasons for authorizing probationer to move: - ANSWER--probationer resides in
another county
,-probationer resides in your county, but has verifiable, positive reason to move
2 types of violations: - ANSWER--new criminal offense
-habitual technical violations
3 components of effective interview termination: - ANSWER--clear statement indicating
the interview is about to end and offers probationer an opportunity to add comments or
tie up loose ends
-concise summary of what has been accomplished during interview
-discussion of what follows
3 components of the problem-solving approach: - ANSWER--information gathering
-assessment
-action planning
3 conditions that must be present in order for a CSO to make a lawful arrest: -
ANSWER--ordered by judge
AND
-only of probationers for violations
AND
-with probable cause of violation
3 guidelines for preparation of courtroom testimony: - ANSWER--keep timely, accurate,
and factual case records
-review your case file before court
-maintain contact with the State's attorney
3 major procedures in PSI preparation: - ANSWER--obtaining/reviewing reports and
records
-interviewing offenders/relevant parties
-organizing information/compiling the report
3 options when probationer moves without permission: - ANSWER--strong reprimand
and permission to transfer
-deny permission and report violations
-deny permission and continue to supervise
3 parts of assessment interview: - ANSWER--introduction
-body
-termination
3 primary techniques used by CSOs: - ANSWER--face-to-face
-referrals
- supervision
3 reasons for investigating and reporting violations: - ANSWER--protect society
, -guide and assist probationer in rehabilitation
-protect department from law suits
3 TRAS trailers: - ANSWER--alcohol
-drug
-mental health
4 components of case plan: - ANSWER--proplem/need
-goals
-objectives
-techniques
4 conditions of community supervision that most often result in conflict or
misunderstanding between the probationer and the CSO: - ANSWER--"Avoid injurious
or vicious habits, including the use of illicit or habit forming drugs and alcoholic
beverages"
-"Avoid persons or places of disreputable or harmful character, including the act of
frequenting or going about places where intoxication beverages are sold"
-"Remain in a specified area ..."
-"Pay your court costs and fees, in one or several sums that the court shall determine"
4 factors to consider when dealing with probationer who had not shown progress: -
ANSWER--was he unable to do what was expected?
-was he unwilling to do what was expected?
-are there new problem areas?
-has a violation occurred?
4 field visit indicators of risk: - ANSWER--history of assault/violence
-history of drug/alcohol abuse
-mental instability
-dramatic behavior change
4 guidelines for building cooperative relationships with other members of the "court
family": - ANSWER--respect the state attorney's and judge's authority to make decisions
that are contrary to your opinions and recommendations
-familiarize yourself with your courts and with your supervision responsibilities
-resolve conflict professionally- refrain from making critical comments about other court
personnel
-remain publicly non-political during local elections
4 key points to making the case plan more effective with initiating positive behavioral
changes: - ANSWER--provide the probationer with copy of case plan
-routine case plan check-in at each office visit
-hold probationer accountable to case plan
-revise case plan as need arises
with Complete Solutions
#1 probationer risk factor: - ANSWER--antisocial attitudes
10 guidelines for asking interview questions: - ANSWER--know the objective of the
question
-use open-ended questions
-avoid rapid-fire questions
-avoid double-barrelled questions
-keep questions simple and brief
-probe when necessary
-be positive
-don't ask 'why'
-questions should be relevant to supervision
-avoid judgmental or biased questions
14 principles of good documentation: - ANSWER--should be completed as soon as
possible after the event
-all entries must be dated
-keep your documentation brief and to the point
-do not back date an entry
-document all telephone call and collateral contacts relevant to the case
-use only approved abbreviations and acronyms
-include only factual information
-never delete an existing electronic entry
-when handwriting an entry, do not scratch out, erase or use white out
-if handwriting, write legibly
-if handwriting, use blue or black ink
-sign all entries, either by hand or electronically
-if filling out forms, do not leave blank spaces
-when documenting, known and follow the policies and procedure of your department
2 areas you are not allowed to override in the TRAS assessment: - ANSWER--individual
items in the assessment
-overall TRAS score
2 issues determining whether Miranda warning should be given prior to questioning: -
ANSWER--information could be used in a criminal trial on new charge
AND
-probationer is in custody
2 main reasons for authorizing probationer to move: - ANSWER--probationer resides in
another county
,-probationer resides in your county, but has verifiable, positive reason to move
2 types of violations: - ANSWER--new criminal offense
-habitual technical violations
3 components of effective interview termination: - ANSWER--clear statement indicating
the interview is about to end and offers probationer an opportunity to add comments or
tie up loose ends
-concise summary of what has been accomplished during interview
-discussion of what follows
3 components of the problem-solving approach: - ANSWER--information gathering
-assessment
-action planning
3 conditions that must be present in order for a CSO to make a lawful arrest: -
ANSWER--ordered by judge
AND
-only of probationers for violations
AND
-with probable cause of violation
3 guidelines for preparation of courtroom testimony: - ANSWER--keep timely, accurate,
and factual case records
-review your case file before court
-maintain contact with the State's attorney
3 major procedures in PSI preparation: - ANSWER--obtaining/reviewing reports and
records
-interviewing offenders/relevant parties
-organizing information/compiling the report
3 options when probationer moves without permission: - ANSWER--strong reprimand
and permission to transfer
-deny permission and report violations
-deny permission and continue to supervise
3 parts of assessment interview: - ANSWER--introduction
-body
-termination
3 primary techniques used by CSOs: - ANSWER--face-to-face
-referrals
- supervision
3 reasons for investigating and reporting violations: - ANSWER--protect society
, -guide and assist probationer in rehabilitation
-protect department from law suits
3 TRAS trailers: - ANSWER--alcohol
-drug
-mental health
4 components of case plan: - ANSWER--proplem/need
-goals
-objectives
-techniques
4 conditions of community supervision that most often result in conflict or
misunderstanding between the probationer and the CSO: - ANSWER--"Avoid injurious
or vicious habits, including the use of illicit or habit forming drugs and alcoholic
beverages"
-"Avoid persons or places of disreputable or harmful character, including the act of
frequenting or going about places where intoxication beverages are sold"
-"Remain in a specified area ..."
-"Pay your court costs and fees, in one or several sums that the court shall determine"
4 factors to consider when dealing with probationer who had not shown progress: -
ANSWER--was he unable to do what was expected?
-was he unwilling to do what was expected?
-are there new problem areas?
-has a violation occurred?
4 field visit indicators of risk: - ANSWER--history of assault/violence
-history of drug/alcohol abuse
-mental instability
-dramatic behavior change
4 guidelines for building cooperative relationships with other members of the "court
family": - ANSWER--respect the state attorney's and judge's authority to make decisions
that are contrary to your opinions and recommendations
-familiarize yourself with your courts and with your supervision responsibilities
-resolve conflict professionally- refrain from making critical comments about other court
personnel
-remain publicly non-political during local elections
4 key points to making the case plan more effective with initiating positive behavioral
changes: - ANSWER--provide the probationer with copy of case plan
-routine case plan check-in at each office visit
-hold probationer accountable to case plan
-revise case plan as need arises
