…and Why You Need to Know Them

by: Stephen Sebald

Ankle Monitors are a method of punishment, usually for non-violent or first-time offenders. This device is common for monitoring a person under house arrest or some other type of a punishment that requires keeping track of the person. You might remember some celebrities who have been required to wear one: Lindsay Lohan, Michael Vick, and Martha Stewart.

A lot of people have misconceptions about these accessories, so we wanted to take some time to give you the fundamentals of ankle monitors. There are 5 basic things to know about this type of punishment:

  1. The person wearing the monitor has to pay for it (not only will they pay for its usage, but they may also pay for the actual device).
  2. They are not just a GPS; these devices can also detect a change in your body, testing your sweat and the amount of alcohol in your body.
  3. The apparatus is waterproof (contrary to many media references, you can take a shower while wearing it, you can even go swimming).
  4. This type of punishment is much cheaper than sending someone to prison (think about it: you don’t have to lodge, feed, and pay for a person when they are wearing a monitor). A year long prison sentence can be expensive—anywhere over $20,000, while a year with this is generally around $6,000.
  5. These devices are not only used for house arrest, they are also commonly used for people out on bail waiting for a trial.

Contrary to the way the media portrays the use of an ankle monitor, these five basic facts really dispel any discrepancies concerning the usage and the benefits of using this apparatus. Not only are there community benefits, mainly removing financial burden from the community, but also individual benefits, like keeping a first-time offender out of prison.

If you are being charged with a non-violent crime or if you are a first-time offender, give an experienced criminal lawyer a call and tell them you want to look into being sentenced with an ankle monitor. Not only will an attorney assist you with your case, but they can also help you obtain the most practical reprimand for your minor offense. Call us today at Sebald, Hackwelder, & Knox to discuss your case; phone (814) 833-1987.