• 20
  • October
    2010

Gilbert has instated a new program that allows some of the people convicted of DUI offenses to serve part of their sentence at home. Gilbert joined Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler who have similar programs.

The home detention program allows qualifying DUI offenders to serve a portion of their sentence at home, but only after serving the first 15 days in jail. Once home, the violators are monitored by tracking bracelet, and must have interlock devices installed on their vehicles.

One DUI defense attorney predicted that the best candidates for the home detention program will be those convicted of their first "extreme" DUI, where the arrestee's blood-alcohol concentration reaches at least .15 percent. These violators are good candidates for the program because they are likely serving somewhat lengthy sentences yet haven't shown an inclination to continue driving under the influence.

The measure had unanimous support from Gilbert's city council as means of saving costs. Gilbert currently sends many DUI offenders to "tent city" in Maricopa County, reportedly costing nearly $500,000 in the past three months alone. Advocates have claimed that the new program could save the city as much as $700,000, annually.

Gilbert is going to closely scrutinize the effectiveness of the program over the next eight months to determine what impact it actually has in saving money and keeping citizens safe.

Source: KPHO.com