101 on Pre-Trial Home Confinement in Wake County

Many states judicial systems now have the option of pre-trial home confinement for defendants, and Wake County is no exception. Also known as electronic home monitoring (EHM) or house arrest, home confinement has been an excellent way to combat overcrowding in jail, and it is growing in popularity among state judicial authorities. Instead of traditional release on bail, the court might also put a defendant on house arrest as they await their court hearings. So, let’s analyze when you need Wake County bail bonds and what are your options in house arrest.

A Brief Overview

Also known as pre-trial release or supervision, pre-trial home confinement is an arrangement where a defendant is permitted to stay at their residence while awaiting their trial instead of being detained in jail. However, unlike traditional bail, pre-trial confinement comes with specific terms and conditions set by the court, such as curfews, electronic monitoring, and restrictions on movement.

Note that not all defendants are eligible for pre-trial home confinement and courts typically assess the eligibility based on different factors such as the severity of the alleged crime, the defendant’s criminal history, risk of flight, ties to the community, and potential threat to the public security when the defendant is released.

Pros and Cons of Pre-Trial Home Confinement

One of the biggest advantages of house arrest is it allows defendants to maintain their employment, support their families, and continue contributing to society while awaiting trial. Besides the method also aids in alleviating the issue of overcrowding in jail and reduces the financial burden on the criminal justice system. However, is it fair? While some people say it is, for others, it’s just like keeping a pet on a leash. It’s not exactly free, but allowed to live within a restricted space. Although house arrest is a viable option if there’s no way left, if you can secure bail, pleading for house arrest doesn’t make sense.

The disadvantages of pre-trial home confinements include:

• High program cost
• Less freedom than conventional release on bail as individuals have to wear a heavy GPS tracking device all the time.
• The stigma. The world doesn’t look lightly on people who are arrested and when you wear an ankle monitor all the time, people might judge you harshly and stereotype you as a criminal.

Conclusion

Bail is so much better than home confinement because ankle monitors are heavy devices that lead to discomfort, and in some states, the monitors also have recording devices that record all conversations that the defendant has with others. On the other hand, bail is a much easier option because the approach is like you are free without any crime weighing on your shoulders. While pre-trial home confinement offers the defendant more freedom than life behind bars, if you are eligible for bail, don’t compromise it for the sake of money. Instead work with a Wake County bail bondsman from Absolute Bail Bonds, Inc., and secure your freedom.