If you are in the process of negotiating a release on bail, you may be working with a bondsman and an attorney to negotiate the terms of your release. One of the conditions that may arise is the requirement of an ankle monitor. For those who have never been exposed to these, there are some misconceptions and some inherent concerns. Here's what you need to know about wearing an ankle monitor as part of your bail conditions.
Ankle Monitors Are Easier to Negotiate
When you are trying to negotiate a release on bail, agreeing to an ankle monitor will often increase your chances of both getting released and getting a bail bond company to put up funds for your release.
That's because an ankle monitor reduces your flight risk. The courts, and your bondsman, can keep track of where you are, where you've been, and what you are doing at any given time. This helps to ensure that you follow your bail conditions, stay where you are supposed to be, and are accounted for when necessary.
Ankle Monitors Aren't As Costly As Keeping You Incarcerated
Sometimes the courts will be more likely to release you with a monitor simply because it is more cost-effective than trying to keep you in jail. When you are in jail, the state has to pay for all of your food, shelter, and other expenses. This can be costly. In comparison, the cost of an ankle monitor is much less, making them more likely to agree to your release that way.
Ankle Monitors Will Cost You A Percentage
As the one released on bail with the monitor, you will have to pay a portion of the fees associated with the device and its monitoring. The fees will be added to your court fees when the case is completed, and you will have to make those payments according to the court's orders.
Ankle Monitors Are Waterproof
While you may think of ankle monitors as something that you will have to keep out of the shower and away from water in general, that is not the case. While early models may not have been made this way, the newer ankle monitors are actually waterproof. You won't have to worry about showering or swimming when you have one, because they can resist these things.
Ankle Monitors Track More Than Your Location
While ankle monitors are initially intended to monitor your location and movements, the GPS integration isn't the only feature of these devices. If you've been released with any restrictions on alcohol consumption, your ankle monitor can also track this. They have sensors integrated to test the percentage of alcohol in your sweat, which alerts the courts if you have been drinking. Your bondsman will be notified if you breach this condition, and your bail may be revoked.