What is Wearing a Court-Ordered GPS Monitor Like?

 Posted on December 26, 2024 in Bail Bonds

People who are released from jail on bond usually have to comply with certain conditions, such as not leaving the state, passing substance use screenings, reporting to a probation officer, or wearing a GPS monitor around the ankle. Tampering with an ankle monitor is a criminal offense, and attempts to cheat the device are nearly always unsuccessful. If you remove the monitor or try to deactivate it, you can be re-arrested and required to stay in jail until your case is resolved. Wearing these devices can be unpleasant and inconvenient, but most people would still choose to do so if it means getting out of jail faster. An experienced Dallas, TX bail bondsman can help you with posting bond.

Planning to Keep Your GPS Monitoring Device Charged 

Once released from jail with a GPS monitor, you will be responsible for keeping the device charged at all times. Letting your ankle monitor run out of power can be considered a means of tampering with it or trying to prevent law enforcement from tracking you. Depending on the model you are given, a charge may last as long as 40 hours or as little as 12 hours. You will need to plan ahead to make sure you will be able to charge your device promptly when the battery runs low.

For most people, this is not too difficult. Charging your device every night usually means you will not need to stop during the day to plug your monitoring device in. However, you will need to ensure you are not caught somewhere you do not have easy access to an outlet when your battery gets low.

Dealing With Discomfort 

Wearing a tightly fitted ankle bracelet for a long period of time can cause chafing, bruising, and skin damage. You cannot adjust the strap yourself and may need to go in several times to have the device adjusted. If your GPS monitor also includes an alcohol detection device, you will need to keep the device against your skin at all times. If it does not, you may be able to wear socks that protect your skin.

Making Sure You Are in Your Inclusion Zones 

For people out on bond who do not have GPS monitors, an occasional curfew violation or foray into an exclusion zone might go undetected. However, if you are wearing a GPS monitor, your probation officer will know if you fail to return to your home by curfew or get too close to your alleged victim’s workplace. You will need to carefully plan your routes and your day to ensure that you are always where you are supposed to be.

Contact a Dallas County, TX Bail Bondsman 

Doc's Bail Bonds can help you secure pretrial release by posting bond. Our licensed Dallas, TX bail bondsman will work to get you out of jail quickly. Contact us at 214-747-4110 to speak with a bondsman.