In a state court criminal prosecution, the judge may order a defendant to perform court-ordered community service—often in conjunction with an alternative sentence such as probation, pretrial diversion, or deferred adjudication.

Similarly, in the federal courts, community service is not a sentence, but a special condition of probation or supervised release. The probation officer’s presentence report—which the court relies on in choosing a fair sentence—may recommend that the court require community service. The court usually requires that the offender complete a specified number of hours of community service (usually from 100 to 500) within a given time frame (usually not to exceed one year).

Court-ordered community service may be related to the underlying criminal offense. For example, a defendant charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) may be ordered to complete court-ordered community service by volunteering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) or giving speeches to young adults on the dangers of drinking and driving.

In Pennsylvania, judges in state court criminal prosecutions have the authority to order defendants to perform court-ordered community service. This can be part of an alternative sentence such as probation, pretrial diversion, or deferred adjudication. The purpose of community service is to provide a restorative justice element to the sentencing, allowing the defendant to contribute positively to the community. The number of hours and the time frame for completion are typically specified by the court, and the nature of the community service may be related to the offense. For instance, someone convicted of a DUI might be required to work with organizations that promote awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. In the federal court system, community service is also used as a special condition of probation or supervised release. The probation officer's presentence report may suggest community service as part of the sentence, and the court will decide whether to include it as a requirement. The goal is to tailor the community service to both the needs of the community and the circumstances of the offense.