My boyfriend has court tuesday for 859.a sentencing. whats this mean ?

Penal Code section 859 refers to a probation officer's report, which a judge can request to see the probation department's evaluation of whether an individual "is a suitable candidate for probation." The report often makes specific recommendations on punishment, but these are not binding on the judge. Rather, they are more of a starting point for the DA to negotiate from. Sometimes, the DA just disregards the report, disagreeing with it for being too lenient or too harsh. As Mr. Marshall pointed out, what exactly will happen at the hearing is unclear. There may be another hearing. And another, both to allow your boyfriend's counsel and the DA to negotiate further or for the defense attorney to bring certain motions. It is tough to say too much more specifically without knowing the facts of the case. For a general overview of what a felony preliminary hearing setting conference involves. click on the article below.