Many defendants arrested for DUI in Los Angeles or Orange County face the prospect of serving a lengthy county jail sentence. County jail is always a consideration for defendants with prior DUI convictions but may also be a concern for first offenders with aggravating facts such as an accident or or high speed allegation.

One alternative to a county jail sentence is home arrest or electronic home confinement. A defendant who is sentenced to county jail, but given the option of performing the sentence as home arrest, must apply through the county probation department or directly with the private company that sets up the equipment. Normally, a defendant must not have any outstanding warrants and must not have any prior convictions for violence. It is necessary to have a land line phone for the system to operate. The defendant then consents to wear an ankle bracelet for the period of the home confinement. The defendant is allowed to leave the house for pre-approved activities such as work, school or medical appointments. If a defendant leaves the house at a time that has not been approved, the defendant is then subject to arrest for a violation of the terms of home confinement and will then serve the balance of the jail sentence.

Home arrest is something that must be negotiated for and is often seen as a soft option by judges and prosecutors. Some judges are more willing to consider it than others. Some judges, particularly in Orange County, will not consider it at all.

Home arrest is not free. The company that operates the equipment, Sentinel, charges by the day and with a sliding scale to take into account a persons ability to pay.

If you are concerned about the possibility of serving county jail and are interested in seeking home arrest as an alternnative, please call Los Angeles and Orange County DUI lawyers, Gold and Witham, Attorneys at Law. Jeffrey Gold and Nigel Witham have successfully negotiated for home arrest for many clients facing lengthy jail terms because of multiple prior convictions or accidents involving personal injury allegations.