Ankle monitors are a familiar sight in the law enforcement and legal world, and it has proved to be a good piece of tech that helps to keep tabs on the whereabouts of a person whom the courts would want to keep their eyes on.
But how far can you go with an ankle monitor? What are some warning signs that your ankle monitor will give if you’re going farther than the allowed distance? These and more will be discussed in this article.
How Far Can You Go With an Ankle Monitor?
You can go as far as 50 feet and 150 feet in rare cases; it’s also expected that you are within 30 feet when it’s scheduled to upload the data.
The distance you can take an ankle monitor varies on a case-by-case basis; hence, how far you can go with an ankle monitor is decided by the judge who is presiding over the case.
Some persons are under house arrest, hence an ankle monitor that ensures that they are within the allowed distance. Some persons are allowed to travel farther, and there might be a cap on how far they can go or where they can and cannot go.
Most ankle monitors have Wi-Fi or GPS and, in some cases, a combination of both. The GPS transmitter ankle monitor is the most used one, and it regularly uses cellular signals to triangulate its position and communicate with the computers. If you travel outside the area you’re allowed, it is designed to notify the officers in charge of your case.
What does it mean when your ankle monitor vibrates?
Most ankle monitors don’t vibrate, with many only giving off beeps. If your ankle monitor vibrates, then it’s probably because:
- You have moved outside your granted perimeter.
- Another reason why your ankle monitor will vibrate is that you’re probably in a structure that contains a lot of metal or walls that the monitor isn’t getting a signal.
- If your PO is trying to contact you, you’d likely also get a vibration on the ankle monitor.
- If the ankle monitor battery is low, it’s likely vibrating to notify you that it’s time to charge.
- The ankle monitor could also vibrate if it’s having issues. If you suspect that this is the case, you might have to speak to your PO or the company that attached the monitor.
What does it mean when your ankle monitor beeps?
When your ankle monitor beeps, it could be for a varying number of reasons, from something as simple as moving the beacon to another location to leaving the expected perimeter.
The beep could also be a sign that the battery needs to be charged, depending on the ankle monitor you’re using. In some cases, ankle monitor beeps could be a result of malfunctions, in which case you might need to speak to the agency monitoring it.
A beep is not always a sign that you’re in trouble, though; when the ankle monitor beeps, it means it’s letting you know that it sent a message to your PO to check your location. As long as you’ve not violated the terms of your arrest, you should be just fine.
How long does an ankle monitor last on a low battery?
You are expected to charge your ankle monitor for a minimum of two hours every day for it to stay effective, and you can expect it to run for around 40 hours before it dies. I should mention, though, that over time, the battery of every device weakens, so you might not get up to 40 hours from a full charge of your ankle monitor.
My ankle monitor won’t stop vibrating.
If your ankle monitor won’t stop vibrating, it might be a result of technical issues with the device, so you should call your PO to notify them, and you can either call the monitoring company or allow your PO to do that. As a rule of thumb, if you see notice things you don’t understand happening with your ankle monitor, call your PO and report your observations.
What do lights on the ankle monitor mean?
The red light on your ankle monitor means the device needs to be recharged; it could also mean that you have not completed a required action, either an internet check-in or a telephone call.
The red and green lights come on during initialization in the program officer’s office, while the yellow is always on when the monitor is receiving power.
We recommend speaking to the PO and the company that installed it to be sure what the colors showing on your device mean. You would generally get a manual with your ankle monitor.
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GPS ankle bracelet side effects (cons)
While ankle monitors are a necessity for many people, and they really can’t do without them, there are a couple of cons of having ankle monitors. They include:
- The cost. Ankle monitors cost between $5 and $25 per day, and you, the user, are expected to pay every penny of that. In some cases, the inability to pay for the use of the ankle monitors could be enough to send someone back to jail.
- Comfort. Users have experienced irritations on their skin from wearing GPS ankle monitors.
- Medical care issues. If you have a GPS ankle monitor, hospitals might decline to perform procedures such as MRIs, x-rays, mammograms, and CT scans on you, which might put your life at risk.
- Signal. The device needs to stay alive and constantly be in touch with the authorities, hence there could be issues if the battery dies due to a power outage or if it loses the signal.
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Do you need a landline for the ankle monitor?
While not the case generally, some states require that you have a landline with your ankle monitor. Landlines are used to check in with the PO at certain times, often based on an arrangement. You would want to speak with the persons in charge of your case to determine what is obtainable.
Can ankle monitors listen to conversations?
Yes, some ankle monitors can listen to conversations as they come with built-in microphones. The track group is known for marketing these features in ankle monitors. You might need to speak to your attorney to get a better idea of what is and not acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you get an ankle monitor for probation?
Yes, you do. Ankle monitors are bracelets the court requires an offender to wear on the ankle while on house arrest or probation.
What leg does an ankle bracelet go on?
It is not stated that a specific leg is required to go with an ankle monitor. It can be worn on any leg, either over your clothing or under it. The ankle bracelet should be on the lower leg; it is not required to be placed around the ankle.
Do you have to pay for an ankle monitor?
Yes, you do. Correctional service agencies suggest different ankle monitors, which require you to pay for them. Therefore, you must pay for it and cannot decide what kind to wear.
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