It’s no mystery that overcrowding and inmate warehousing are major concerns. That’s why in many jurisdictions throughout the United States, individuals who have been charged with minor crimes are often sentenced to house arrest in lieu of keeping them in custody. For those who are placed under house arrest, many are required to wear an ankle monitor. Also known as a tether, GPSankle monitor, or house arrestbracelet, these devices work to monitor an individual’s location.
Different Types of House Arrest Ankle Monitors
Not all ankle monitors are created equal, with some using wifi, GPS, or a combination of the two. The most common type of ankle monitoring bracelet is a GPS cellular transmitter combination. With this type of ankle monitor, the unit is completely self-contained and uses a cellular signal to triangulate its position and to communicate with the base computers.
Other types of ankle monitors use wifi to networks to communicate signals while some solely rely on GPS satellite data, as this can determine an individual’s position within a few feet for greater accuracy.
How Parole Ankle Monitors Work
Ankle monitors work at timed intervals, sending a signal containing an individual’s location and other information (time, etc.) to a receiver. In many instances, a range can be set by a judge, probation, or parole officer, which determines how far an individual can move around. If an individual moves outside of the range, the ankle monitor transmits a signal to the appointed officer.
Ankle monitors are designed to be tamper-resistant and will alert authorities if an attempt to remove the device is made. If an individual is not at the location he or she is supposed to be at (whether home, work, or a prescribed route to and from), an alert message is sent to the service center and then relayed to the probation or parole officer.
Ankle Monitor Rules & Restrictions
For individuals who are ordered to wear an ankle monitor, it is important they fully understand how to use the monitor, as well as the requirements and rules regarding their monitor. While requirements and rules vary on a case by case basis, some may include the following:
- The individual must keep a job
- The individual must stay in compliance with all conditions of supervision
- The individual must pay all of his or her court fees
- The individual must meet with his or her probation or parole officer at scheduled times
- The individual must abstain from drugs and alcohol
Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tampa Bay
Finding a criminal defense attorney that you can trust is key to the start of a successful case. At Clark Hartpence Law, we handle a wide array of criminal cases including DUI, assault and battery, domestic violence, drug cases, first-time offenders, gun and weapon offenses, theft crimes, and violations of probation. If you or a loved one is facing any of these charges, please contact us right away. We are passionate about fighting for you and building the best case possible, as soon as possible. Call (855)-680-4911.
