What Crimes Get You House Arrest in Texas?

 Posted on May 06, 2024 in Criminal Defense

House arrest is a commonly known phrase you may hear on TV and in movies. However, most people are not familiar with what it actually means. House arrest can be granted for specific criminal offenses. You might be allowed to serve your term as house arrest rather than jail time, but have some additional restrictions or other penalties in exchange. If you are interested in house arrest as an option for your sentence, speak with a passionate Plano, TX criminal defense attorney to find out more.

House Arrest in Texas

House arrest is one option for a sentence for a criminal offense. If you are ordered to serve a term of house arrest, you must stay at your home or another residence approved by the court for the duration of your sentence. You might not need to stay inside the residence at all times, but there are guidelines regarding how far from it you can be and for how long.

There are very specific circumstances under which house arrest can be considered as a punishment. If you meet the conditions, you can request house arrest instead of jail time. If your request is approved, you will receive a list of restrictions you must abide by for the duration of your sentence. This list commonly includes details about certain hours of the day you are required to be home and when you are allowed to leave.

What Are the Alternatives to Jail in Texas? 

There are some alternatives to incarceration in Texas, depending on the type of crime in question, details about the defendant, and other factors. The alternatives include:

• Intensive supervision programs include day reporting centers and intensive or surveillance probation.
• Specialized supervision: substance abuse felony punishment facilities
• Alternative residential options for incarceration: boto camps, intermediate sanction facilities, restitution centers, court residential treatment centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, and treatment programs for the mentally impaired.

Can a Minor Be Put on House Arrest?

House arrest is not an option for everyone. People who are accused of violent crimes, repeat offenders, and defendants without any family or job are not likely to be granted house arrest. However, defendants under the age of 18 who live at home with their families have a much better chance.

When a minor is put on house arrest, they will have specific and very limited reasons to be allowed to leave their home. These include necessary things like attending school and showing up for court appearances.

Minors serving a term of house arrest are monitored to ensure they comply with their sentence's terms. This monitoring can be done through frequent probation visits or an electronic monitoring device. If they have a monitoring device, it is often something they need to have on their body at all times, and different types of devices have various ways of ensuring that they are where they are supposed to be. Some electronic monitoring devices measure additional things, like the use of drugs or alcohol.

Other times when house arrest might be granted are:

• When the conviction is for a nonviolent offense
• When it was a first offense
• When there is no long criminal history
• When the sentence is for a DWI or simple drug possession

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Collin County, TX Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are charged with a nonviolent crime, you might be eligible for house arrest instead of jail time. A tenacious Plano, TX criminal defense lawyer will fight passionately for your rights and seek the best outcome possible. Call The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. at 214-544-0061 to schedule a free consultation.