One of the possible sentences for a criminal conviction is home monitoring, sometimes called home detention, electronic monitoring, or house arrest. A judge can order home monitoring as a defendant awaits trial as well, and it is increasingly being used to combat the problem of prison overcrowding.
How does home monitoring work?
With home monitoring, an offender is required to be in his home at certain hours of the day, although there are usually exceptions for work and other qualifying activities like doctor’s visits, food shopping, etc. The person wears an electronic bracelet that fits snugly underneath a pant leg 24 hours a day and seven days a week; a wrist bracelet may also be an option.
The bracelet makes sure the offender doesn’t leave the home except for at approved times; if he does attempt the leave the house outside of those times, an alarm is sounded.
What if I try to tamper with the bracelet?
If a person under home monitoring tries to tamper with the bracelet or home device, it is recorded as such, and the court will soon know about it.
If the alarm sounds or if the device records a tampering attempt, the offender could face the revocation of home monitoring in favor of incarceration or other penalties.
Are there other conditions involved with home monitoring?
The procedure of home monitoring varies by jurisdiction, but there are often other provisions that must be met in order to keep the home monitoring agreement going, including curfew calls to make sure the offender is at home a given time and alcohol checks via a breathalyzer or SCRAM device.
If you’re interested in learning more about the possibility of home monitoring in your situation, be sure to contact an experienced criminal justice attorney in your area who may be able to help.