When is a Pre-Sentence Investigation typically requested?

A Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) is typically requested when a court needs comprehensive information about a defendant to aid in the sentencing process. This investigation is crucial because it informs the judge about the defendant's background, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and any relevant psychological or social factors.

The correct option highlights a situation where a PSI is needed because there has not been a prior investigation prepared. This implies that the court lacks the necessary background information required to make an informed sentencing decision, thus necessitating a new PSI to gather pertinent data.

In contrast, a PSI would generally not be requested after a sentencing decision has been made, as it is intended to influence that very decision. While a psi can be requested after a guilty plea, it is not universally tied to that stage; rather it is more about the need for detailed information for sentencing. Legal motions do not typically play a role in the decision to conduct a PSI, as that process is focused on gathering data relevant to the sentencing phase rather than procedural motions in trials or hearings.