If you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), you could become subject to a host of consequences. Depending on the nature of your infraction you could face fines, mandatory community service hours and even imprisonment. In some cases, harsh sentencing may be pled down to a more manageable consequence. For example, you may be facing jail time but your attorney may be able to negotiate your potential sentence down with prosecutors so that you serve time under house arrest instead of in jail.
House arrest as a consequence for drunk driving is neither fun nor easy. However, it can be a preferable consequence to time in jail, especially if you have children to care for or a job that you would like to keep. The terms of house arrest must be followed exactly or you could end up right back in the jail cell you were trying to avoid.
Generally, individuals under house arrest are monitored with a device that is most often worn around an ankle or a wrist. In many instances, these devices can alert law enforcement either if you have violated alcohol prohibition terms or if you have left the house without permission. Such violations of your house arrest agreement may be considered a parole violation punishable by jail time.
You may be able to obtain permission to leave the house for work, school, training, picking up your children, visiting your family and shopping for necessary items such as food. Other than these narrow exceptions, you generally must remain confined to the house.
Source: Findlaw Blotter, “DUI House Arrest: How Does It Work?” Brett Snider, Sep. 5, 2013
Andrew Moses
Andrew has been practicing criminal law his entire career. After graduating from law school he began working as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting cases in Orange and Osceola Counties. During his time as an Assistant State Attorney, Andrew handled all types of cases ranging from misdemeanors to such serious felonies as drug trafficking and armed robbery. His experience as a prosecutor helped him gain perspective of the criminal justice system and how the government established its cases.
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