What is a GPS Ankle Monitor?
In Long Beach and throughout California, “continuous electronic monitoring” may be utilized by the Long Beach or local county probation department to monitor the whereabouts of any person on probation, pursuant to Penal Code Sections 1210.7-1210.16. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is authorized to continuously electronically monitor any person on parole through use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) ankle monitor under Penal Code Sections 3010-3010.9.
Who Must be Subject to Use of a GPS Ankle Monitor?
If you are released from jail, you will be supervised within the community by The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). If you are given a special condition to be monitored during your probation or parole, you must comply or you will be taken into custody for violating the terms of your conditional release. Probationers and parolees most likely to be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor device during their supervision period are:
- Register sex offenders (PC290)
- Registered gang offenders (PC186.30)
- Offenders with a history of absconding (failure to report when ordered; leaving the county or state without permission)
How Does GPS Monitoring Work?
A Global Positioning System (GPS) ankle monitor works due to the triangulation of satellites orbiting the earth. Twenty-four satellites are used in all.
To “triangulate” means that a GPS ankle monitor receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals. When a user’s GPS ankle monitor unit reads the signals sent to it by the satellites, these signals can provide information as to the wearer’s location, speed of movement and direction of movement throughout Long Beach, California, or anywhere in the world.
Active vs. Passive GPS Monitoring
Active GPS transmits its location at near real-time intervals and can include immediate alert notifications.
Passive GPS transmits its location at set intervals and alert notifications are usually received the next day.
Not surprisingly, an active GPS ankle monitor is more expensive to operate: about $26 a day vs. about $17 a day for passive GPS ankle monitor systems. Parolees are not typically expected to pay for GPS monitoring, although California law permits the county or state to charge them for it (Penal Code Section 3010.8). Probationers often do have to pay for a GPS ankle monitor as part of the cost of their probation.
Consult an experienced lawyer before you agree to be monitored by a GPS device.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime in Long Beach or anywhere in California and want the option of being monitored by a GPS ankle monitor device, it is important that you contact an attorney at Wallin & Klarich today so we can help you to protect all of your rights. The knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can help explain the charges and determine whether electronic monitoring utilizing GPS technology is necessary or recommended. Since GPS tracks your movements, you should be aware that you will be constantly watched by law enforcement agents. With offices in Tustin, Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Temecula and Victorville, Wallin & Klarich has successfully negotiated for electronic monitoring instead of a jail sentence for many of our clients. We have over 40 years of experience in working with prosecutors and the courts to make sure that our clients are treated fairly under the law and have every opportunity to avoid going to jail whenever possible. GPS monitoring comes with a price. It is very important to consult with a California criminal defense attorney prior to agreeing to this strict form of supervision.
Contact us at 1-877-4-NO-JAIL (1-877-466-5245) for a free telephone consultation.
We will get through this together.
