The Rise of Using GPS Monitoring for Bail in Connecticut

Bail Bondsmen CT and GPS Monitoring

Did you know that according to a survey the Pew Charitable Trusts conducted, the number of individuals monitored with electronic offender-tracking devices more than double between the years 2005 and 2015? This number rose by almost 140%.

This is not only the case throughout the US but especially in Connecticut. In fact, GPS monitoring for bail in Connecticut has become quite popular recently.

If you’re looking for a solution that makes it able for you to stay at home in Connecticut while on bail, then you might be considering using this type of technology.

However, you might want more information about bail bondsmen in CT and GPS monitoring before deciding if this is the way you want to go.

After all, if you’re going to be using electronic monitoring while you’re out on bail, you need to know how it works, how it works legally with bail terms, what happens with the monitor when you’re released on bail.

In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need about the GPS monitoring you can use when you’re on bail. That way, you can decide if a monitor is right for you. Read on to learn more.

The Rising Popularity of GPS Monitoring for Bail in Connecticut

Already, GPS monitoring was a popular choice for bail in Connecticut in the 2000s. This high-tech solution is one that makes it easier to live your life as normally as you can during a difficult situation, while still following your bond terms legally.

More recently, however, it has become even more popular. This is in large part because of the current COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, nationwide, courts have ordered the use of GPS ankle monitors 25% to 30% more often since the pandemic began.

According to the Office of Legislative Research at the Connecticut General Assembly, parole officers use electronic monitoring of offenders so that they can take part in the Department of Correction’s release programs.

One example of these programs is home confinement. With home confinement, it makes it easier for offenders to go to approve parole activities without having to be constantly followed by their parole officer.

Additionally, parole officers use these tracking devices to monitor people who pose serious risks to the Connecticut community.

Many bail bond agents are interested in the use of a CT bail bonds ankle monitor because of the flexibility it provides.

How a GPS Ankle Monitor Works

GPS ankle monitors are pieces of technology that have cellar communication features and a GPS receiver. Additionally, they have alert indicators and tamper sensors. Sometimes, they also have a communication system built-in for ease of communication.

This communication takes place between the defendant and the monitoring staff.

In terms of how it works on a daily basis, the ankle monitor gets GPS signals from the GPS satellites that are in orbit around the earth.

Through this technology, the location of the defendant can be known every few minutes or so.

Then, once this location is identified with GPS technology, it’s sent to the central monitoring hub. As a result, the Connecticut monitoring staff have real-time information about the movement of the wearer.

Once the GPS has this information, it can compare it to the data it has on it already about the zones and schedules that are set out for the user. (This is pre-programmed into the device by the monitoring staff.)

If there’s a violation of the GPS order terms, the GPS ankle monitor will send an alert. Then, monitoring staff can check to see if it was an error, or if there was a violation.

GPS Monitor for Bail

Given how effective GPS monitoring can be for tracking where an individual is and when it’s not a surprise how useful it is for monitoring individuals who have just been released on bail. Usually, a Connecticut judge will make the decision of whether the defendant needs to wear it.

When they do this, it’s a condition required for being released on bail. Sometimes, this happens if the defendant is considered to be someone who might attempt fleeing or poses a danger to others.

For example, if the defendant has a history of physical abuse, they might be required to wear a GPS monitor.

Other times, a GPS monitor can be used for someone who isn’t violent at all. For example, if someone is facing deportation but otherwise isn’t dangerous, then they can simply wear the ankle monitor and go about their normal life.

It’s also useful for non-violent offenders who want to have freedoms, without having to put them in jail. It’s a great technology that means defenders won’t have to face detention or imprisonment.

Depending on what the conditions are of the release, information might be put into the GPS monitor, such as the defendant’s curfew or places they aren’t permitted to go.

GPS Monitoring and Bail Bondsmen

Often, bail bondsmen require defendants who need a bail bond written to use GPS monitoring. This is because bail bonds are a risky type of surety bond to write. If the defendant never shows up for their court date, the bondsman will have to pay.

If the defendant has a large bail amount, it’s more likely that a bail bondsman will require them to wear a GPS ankle monitor.

The Benefits of GPS Monitoring

There are many benefits of GPS monitoring. The first is that it is more likely the defendant will be able to receive a bail bond from a bail bondsman. This is a benefit for both the defendant and the bail bondsman since, otherwise, the translation could not occur.

It is also more likely that the defendant will appear in court when they’re supposed to. For the defendant, this means that they won’t end up lengthening their jail time. The bail bondsman won’t lose money in this situation.

Additionally, taxpayer money won’t be wasted if the defendant appears in court.

Tax money is also saved because state officials involved with offenders can focus their job on other things, instead of constantly having to track offenders.

The community also benefits when offenders use GPS monitors. An offender is likely to commit another offense because they know it’s more likely they’ll get caught and end up in jail.

Even if they do commit a crime, it will be easier to demonstrate that they were the person who committed the crime.

Additionally, the GPS monitoring device is easy to use. In terms of safety, it’s designed so that it’s nearly impossible to take off and last on a full charge for 55 hours.

Finally, the defendants themselves receive benefits related to GPS monitoring. This is because they have far more freedom than they would if they had to be in jail.

Even though being tracked constantly isn’t ideal, it’s a solution that’s better than the alternative.

The defendant can even continue going to work, much of the time, which means that they won’t lose money or miss out on other types of opportunities when they’re using the GPS monitoring device.

What Happens if the Defendant is Released on Bail

Usually, if a person is released from jail with a bail bond, they won’t have to wear an ankle monitor once they’ve been released. If the crime was non-violent and the bond amount has been completely paid, the defendant won’t have to be monitored anymore.

However, there are some cases in which a defendant being released doesn’t mean that they’ll be able to leave jail without a GPS monitoring device.

In these cases, the defendants are violent offenders or the amount of bail is incredibly high. When this happens, how long the defendant has to wear the GPS monitoring device is up to the judge.

Usually, the crime committed will have a large impact on how long the defendant will have to wear it.

Need More Information?

Now that you’ve learned about the rise of GPS monitoring for bail in Connecticut, you might need more information. Maybe you want to learn more about the technology used in GPS monitoring devices. Or maybe you want to know more about the different bail requirements usually given in Connecticut.

Whatever information you need, we’re here to help. At Liza Davis Bail Bondz, we’re experts when it comes to bail bonds, bail, and technologies being used for bail in Connecticut. We also provide bail bonds.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us now.