The Los Angeles County Probation Department has admitted that they have lost track of some ex-convicts for days, and even weeks, at a time because of problems they have had with their GPS electronic monitoring system. LA County Probation Department Chief Powers said that while the county’s flawed GPS monitoring is an example of not to implement such a system, they are currently working to address and fix the problems.  Powers said the Probation Department found issues with the private provider around equipment failures, offenders being placed into inactive status without consultation of the Department and non-compliance of the hookup requirements of placing offenders’ equipment on within 24 hours. Another issue the Probation Department cited were the up to 20,000 alerts received each day, many of which were for low battery, blind spots and other minor or non-relevant alerts.

On top of that, any time there was an alert, each probation officer in the County was notified, even if they were not working the alert area. GPS monitoring can be a preferential alternative to county jail time for both people convicted of crimes and law enforcement.  The County makes sure that offenders are being monitored and it reduces jail overcrowding while the offender gets to remain out of jail and, in many instances, able to work and take care of family. If you or someone you know has been arrested, charged with or being investigated for a crime, contact attorney Ross Erlich ASAP.  Handling you or your loved one’s case the right way from the beginning can make all the difference in the world.  As you may have seen from this article, there are a number of ways to resolve your case that DO NOT involve going to jail or losing your job. Contact attorney Ross Erlich today to discuss the possibilities of probation in LA County and other alternatives to pleading guilty.