Electronic monitoring

Marijuana related offenses, in California, typically carry severe penalties that include probation, heavy fines and jail or prison sentences. When the charged offense was a non-violent one, the accused has more options with respect to sentencing that may allow him or her to avoid incarceration. A savvy criminal defense lawyer knows that alternative sentencing may be available and knows, under what circumstances, a judge is likely to grant a request for this type of sentencing, the most compelling arguments to use, to whom this type of sentencing applies and to what offenses is it applicable. This is simply one of the reasons why it is so important to contact the skilled attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm, as they are well-versed in alternative sentencing options and are dedicated to helping their clients avoid a jail or prison sentence.

Electronic monitoring (also commonly referred to as “house arrest”) is an example of a type of alternative sentence. When ordered, it allows a convicted defendant to serve his or her jail or prison sentence from the comfort of his or her home. Certain non-violent offenders who have been charged with marijuana crimes may request this type of relief, but only a truly experienced attorney knows the most convincing arguments that will persuade a judge that this type of sentencing is more appropriate than incarceration.

Electronic monitoring is closely supervised, since it has the potential for abuse. The individual who has been granted this type of relief is fitted with an electronic sensor (usually an ankle-bracelet) that is linked by telephone lines to a central computer that puts out a continuous signal. Depending on the facts of the individual case, the accused may be permitted to work, attend school, shop for groceries, do laundry and perform other personal errands and will generally be permitted to attend court-ordered programs (such as Narcotics Anonymous or another type of outpatient drug rehabilitation program) and his or her court appearances, so long as it is pre-approved by the court and/or the probation department. He or she must, however, return during the set “curfew” hours. If the signal is interrupted because the accused has gone beyond his or her authorized boundaries, the central computer records the date and time of the signal’s disappearance and reappearance. If the signal interruption occurred during a time when the individual wearing the bracelet should have been at home, the violation will be checked by the probation department and the individual may be subject to arrest, a probation violation and incarceration.

Electronic monitoring is actually a request that is granted by the probation department, not the judge, but the judge does play an important role in its implementation. The judge is the one who refers the case to the probation department, so it is he or she who must first be convinced that the defendant is a good candidate for this type of alternative sentencing before he or she will even make that referral. This is why it is imperative that the accused hires an experienced criminal attorney who knows how to persuade the judge to at least submit the case to the probation department.

The exceptional attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm have an in-depth knowledge about all of the alternative sentencing options that are available to their clients, which allows them to present the most gripping arguments to the judge that reveal why electronic monitoring is not only appropriate for their client, but for the court system and society as well. Because of this vast knowledge, they are also available to discuss the advantages and costs of this type of sentencing with their clients, to make sure that electronic monitoring, if requested, is right for each individual client. To learn more, contact these outstanding attorneys today for a free consultation.