How Does House Arrest Work, And Can I Request It?
Being convicted of a crime does not always mean that you'll be serving your sentence in jail. Sometimes a judge will sentence you to house arrest instead. It is alternative to jail that is much more affordable for the state, and still allows criminals to work, be with their family, and attend rehabilitation.
Many people believe that house arrest is an easy punishment for their crime, but it is actually quite confining with its limitations. This is how being under house arrest works, and how you can request it if convicted of a crime.
What Is House Arrest?
Offenders sentenced to house arrest will wear a bracelet around their ankle designed to track their movement. The monitor can detect if a convicted criminal has left their property or tried to remove the monitor, and let the authorities know. Criminals under house arrest are typically expected to pay the costs associated with their monitoring device, which makes it an appealing form of punishment for the state that is strapped for cash.
A convicted criminal under house arrest is not always confined to their house 24/7. There are situations where they are allowed to leave the home for work, school, church, doctor appointments, or court ordered services such as rehabilitation. Even though house arrest does allow leaving the house, the situations that are allowed can be very specific and confining.
Can I Request Being Placed Under House Arrest?
It is possible to request house arrest as an alternative to jail. The judge will make a judgment call based on your personal and criminal history, and it is ultimately their decision on if house arrest is granted.
First time offenders will be more likely to be granted house arrest than those with a history of previous convictions. If your crime was non-violent, it makes house arrest a possibility because you're not a threat to other people in your community. The nature of the crime could determine if house arrest is a possibility, especially if jail would be too harsh but parole would not be harsh enough.
Juveniles still under parental supervision can be offered house arrest, as well as people with a steady employment history that a jail sentence would interrupt.
If you feel like you are a good candidate for house arrest instead of jail time, work with a criminal lawyer (like those at Kaiser Law Group) to help plead your case to your judge. They can do a better job convincing the court that house arrest will be a good option for you.