House arrest can replace jail time for some criminal charges in the state of California. In some situations, you can even be placed on house arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) in California. However, this punishment is not often used by the court system.
You can learn more about the uses of house arrest in DUI cases with this article. Speak with the Simmrin Law Group to find out if house arrest might be an option in your situation. Get specific answers about your legal needs by calling (310) 896-2723.
House Arrest as an Alternate Sentencing Option in California
Standard penalties for a DUI conviction in California generally involve jail or prison time. However, a criminal defense lawyer may request alternate sentencing in your case. House arrest, also called home confinement or home detention is one form of alternative sentencing.
While on house arrest, individuals in California are required to obey certain restrictions about where they can travel and when they are allowed to leave. Let’s review restrictions associated with house arrest in California now.
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Leaving Your Home While on House Arrest in California
House arrest may be used instead of jail time in California. As such, individuals on house arrest must have their movements severely restricted. The court will hand down orders about when and how you can leave your home. Depending upon your situation, you may be able to leave:
- To go to and from work
- To go visit a medical facility
- To attend alcohol treatment, counseling, or DUI school
Sometimes, the court will grant you permission to leave your home for other activities, but you will likely need specific approval in this situation. Call (310) 896-2723 to find out more about possible restrictions on movement while you’re on house arrest.
Monitoring Systems for House Arrest in California
The court system will monitor your movements if you are placed under house arrest. You will not just be trusted to stay home. Based on your case, you may be monitored with a:
Electronic Tracker
Electronic trackers contain a transmitter that constantly broadcasts a signal. You must wear this tracker at all times. The signal is sent to your monitoring agency. If your signal moves too far away from your home, the monitoring service will be informed and you will violate the terms of your house arrest.
GPS Tracker
GPS trackers are more advanced than electronic trackers. They provide a monitoring service with exact information about your location, wherever you go, instead of merely sending a report if you leave a certain radius. You will need to wear a GPS tracker at all times if ordered to use one while on house arrest.
SCRAMx Tracker
You may also be ordered to wear a SCRAMx (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) device while on house arrest for a DUI. This device tracks your location and reports your blood alcohol content (BAC) constantly. Generally, you will only be ordered to use a SCRAMx device if you have multiple previous convictions for DUI and serious issues with alcohol use.
Obtaining House Arrest in a DUI Case in California
You will not automatically be offered house arrest as a sentencing alternative in California. Generally, DUI convictions result in jail time. In fact, depending upon your situation, you could end up facing:
- Up to six months of jail time for a first offense
- Up to one year of jail time for a second or third offense
A felony conviction for a DUI can even lead to years of time in prison. You can improve your odds of getting house arrest at your sentencing by working with a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles. The team at the Simmrin Law Group can assess your case now to review your legal options.
Our DUI lawyers can also focus on successfully resolving your charges before a conviction. You may not have to face house arrest or jail time if we can get your charges reduced to an acceptable level or dismissed.
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Contact a Lawyer to Focus on House Arrest in California
You may be placed on house arrest for a DUI in California in some circumstances, but it isn’t a frequent option for a DUI conviction. Learn more about your odds for securing a sentencing alternative by contacting the Simmrin Law Group after your arrest. Call (310) 896-2723 or fill out our online contact form to get information on your DUI charges.
You can start working on your case with a FREE case evaluation from our DUI lawyers in Los Angeles.
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