What Happens if I Remove My GPS Tracking Device?
Convicted sex offenders Steven Gordon and Franc Cano were recently arrested in Orange County for the rape and murder of four young women. Both men were ordered to wear GPS tracking devices as part of their sentence for previous sex crimes.
Both Cano and Gordon reportedly have a history of removing their tracking devices without authorization. Cano and Gordon allegedly cut off their GPS monitoring devices and fled to Las Vegas together in 2012, where they were arrested two weeks later by federal agents. 1 According to one news article, both men were allowed to remain on the street rather than serve time in jail or prison. 2
Consequences of Removing GPS Tracking Device
If you are on house arrest or parole and you remove your GPS tracking device without authorization, your parole officer can take you into custody without a warrant under California Penal Code Section 310.7. There will be a hearing before a judge to determine whether you have violated the terms of your parole or house arrest. You could have your parole revoked at this hearing and be required to serve out your sentence in jail or prison.
In the case of convicted sex offenders, California Penal Code Section 310.10 states that there is a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 180 days for removing your GPS monitor. 3
Do GPS Tracking Devices Work?
In 2011, the Supreme Court declared overcrowding in California prisons to be unconstitutional. As a result, alternative sentencing such as house arrest and home confinement have become more popular. Wearing a GPS monitoring device is often part of alternative sentencing.
However, in can be difficult for authorities to keep track of individuals wearing tracking devices. According to the Huffington Post, devices typically send out multiple alerts per day. It is up to parole and probation workers to determine if the alerts are accurate. The devices track when sex offenders are together, but this is problematic because sex offenders often attend the same counseling and substance abuse treatment programs. 4
Additionally, parole and probation officers are flooded with clients to monitor, making it nearly impossible to keep tabs on them all. 5
Call Wallin & Klarich if You are in Danger of Having Your Parole Revoked
If you are facing a revocation of your probation, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney at Wallin & Klarich now. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled criminal defense attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully defending our clients facing criminal charges. We will meet with you to review the facts of your case and plan a winning strategy for your defense.
An experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney may be able to persuade the judge that you will comply with your parole or house arrest going forward and no longer pose a danger to the community.
With offices located in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney nearby to help you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5425 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
1. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/25/steven-gordon-franc-cano_n_6218220.html]↩
2. [http://wirednixon.com/blog/franc-cano-and-steven-gordon-paroled-sex-offenders-charged-with-murdering-four-prostitutes/]↩
3. [http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml;jsessionid=bb9990413189c84bd9e3a87e1df2]↩
4. [Id.]↩
5. [Id.]↩
