In South Carolina, the laws regarding those accused of sex crimes can be quite severe. If a conviction is secured by prosecuting attorneys, the consequences that follow can affect these individuals for years after the fact, if not for the remainder of their lives. One such consequence is electric monitoring.
Electronic GPS monitoring is a penalty typically utilized for those convicted of sex crimes against children. These monitors are generally worn on the ankle and give authorities the ability to track all movements made by the convicted individual. Anyone who has seen one of these monitors can see that they are quite chunky and not necessarily easy to conceal. This, along with having a name placed on the Sex Offender Registry, can inhibit both current and future opportunities, greatly affecting one’s ability to care for him or herself and family members.
If GPS monitoring is ordered, the device generally needs to be worn for 10 years before a petition can be made to have it removed. While these devices are considered mandatory for sexual offenses against children, a judge may order this device for others at his or her discretion. GPS monitoring is just one aspect of law enforcement protocols — of many — used to assess one’s threat to the generally public. Most, such as this, can feel extremely violating.
Those accused of sex crimes, whether against children or other adults, have a lot to lose. Along with electric monitoring and registration on the Sex Offender list, other potential penalties include a lengthy prison sentence. Criminal cases involving accusations of sex crimes are rather delicate, but all involved have rights that must be protected. An experienced South Carolina criminal defense attorney can help review and question any evidence offered against the accused and proceed with a legal course that serves the best interests of the client.
Source: dppps.sc.gov, “Sex Offender Management“, Accessed on April 19, 2015