What is House Arrest and When is it Applied?

If you are put under house arrest, it usually means you are confined to your home rather than having to go to a juvenile detention or prison facility. It is often cited as an affordable alternative to imprisonment, especially for people who are considered to be a low risk to society. People under house arrest may still maintain their relationships, earn income and attend all rehabilitation programs and probation appointments. Offenders usually must abide by strict curfews and not be out past dark, however.

Although many people might believe that house arrest lets offenders off easy, this is a misconception. House arrest is a legitimate form of punishment, and offenders are certainly not “free” in the traditional sense. In many cases, they are required to constantly wear an ankle bracelet so that law enforcement officers can keep constant track of their movements. Offenders might be responsible for all expenses associated with the device.

The specifics of a house arrest term, including when and why a person may leave the property in question, depend on the crime and how dangerous the offender is considered to be. In some cases, the terms of home confinement may be very strict.

To learn more about house arrest and whether you’d be eligible for it, speak with skilled Berks County criminal defense attorney David R. Eshelman.