Imprisonment is expensive for the state, and the criminal justice system is always looking for alternatives to punish criminal offenders or keep track of criminal defendants without holding them behind bars. One alternative that can be used in many cases is called “house arrest.” House arrest can be used while you are waiting for the disposition in your case or as an alternative to a jail sentence or a way to cut imprisonment short while still continuing with your sentence.

House Arrest Can Have Serious Conditions

Many people believe that house arrest is a way for offenders to “get off easy” for their crimes. This is especially true if a person lives in a nice house with a pool and other amenities. However, house arrest is very much still intended to be a form of confinement and punishment by the courts. Courts will use house arrest as a more cost-effective way to monitor and punish offenders of less serious, nonviolent crimes or juveniles accused of crimes.

House arrest does not mean that you have freedom to visit your neighbor next door, sit in your backyard in the sun everyday, or go for a dip in your pool. Often, house arrest means that you will need to remain within the structure of your house unless you have specific permission from the court to leave. Most people on house arrest are required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet that will automatically transmit to the authorities and/or the court if you stray outside of where you are supposed to go. However, even if you are not wearing an ankle monitor, judges can learn that you have left the house in other ways.

In some cases, judges may give permission for you to go to very specific locations at very specific times during your house arrest. This can include the following:

• Medical appointments
• Court dates
• Religious services
• Work appointments
• School for juveniles

However, there is no guarantee you will get such permission and many people on house arrest are strictly confined in their homes. If you violate the conditions of your house arrest, you can be arrested and kept in jail for the rest of your case or sentence.

Call a New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer for More Information Today

While house arrest can be strict, it is often much more preferable than imprisonment. At the Law Office of David W. Polsky, we will explore every possible option to keep you out of jail, so please call at 973-686-9787 today.