Can You Avoid Jail In Orange County With A Supervised Electronic Confinement Program?

If you plead guilty or are convicted of a criminal offense in Orange County, you may be able to avoid serving time in jail by entering OC’s Supervised Electronic Confinement (SEC) Program.  Programs like these are commonly referred to as “house arrest” or “home confinement.”

You might not actually have to remain in your home. You may be able to go to work and/or school, care for your children, go to the doctor and meet with your attorney and case manager. However, you will have to wear an electronic ankle monitor that lets authorities know your whereabouts at all times. Depending on the terms of your admission to the program, you may have to submit to alcohol and/or drug testing as well.

Eligibility for the SEC Program

To be considered for the program, you must meet a number of criteria. For example, you must:

• Be a non-violent offender
• Be considered a minimum security risk
• Have a residence (at least a temporary one) in either Orange County or a nearby county

Upon being sentenced to serve time in Orange County Jail, the sentencing judge can recommend you for the SEC Program if you request it. However, your participation needs to be approved by the Probation Department.

You’ll also need to pay the costs associated with the program. However, these fees are flexible based on your ability to pay.

Your attorney can advocate with the judge on your behalf as a good candidate for the program. They can also advise you in more detail what all is involved to be sure that you can comply with the terms. If you don’t, you’ll end up behind bars. If you can qualify and comply with the terms, this can allow you to continue to live a reasonable facsimile of your normal life.