Category: Bail Conditions · Statute: F.S. 948.11 · Source: Florida Legislature
Understanding Electronic Monitoring (GPS Ankle Monitor) in Florida
In Florida, electronic monitoring via a Global Positioning System (GPS) ankle transmitter is a highly restrictive supervision tool used by courts to track an individual's real-time geographic location. Under Florida Statute Section 948.11, the court may require an offender or defendant to wear an active or passive electronic monitoring device as a condition of their release. Active systems transmit location data continuously to a monitoring center, while passive systems record and upload data at designated intervals. This technology allows law enforcement and community supervision officers to enforce strict geographical boundaries, ensuring compliance with court-ordered restrictions.
This technology is most frequently deployed in cases involving domestic violence, sex offenses, stalking, or high-flight-risk defendants. The GPS device is securely fastened around the individual's ankle and must be worn 24 hours a day, requiring constant battery charging. If the wearer tampers with the device, allows the battery to die, or enters a prohibited zone—such as the victim's home or workplace—an immediate alert is sent to the monitoring agency, which can result in immediate arrest and the revocation of release.
GPS Monitoring and Florida Bail Conditions
During a first appearance hearing, a Florida judge may order GPS electronic monitoring as a non-monetary condition of pretrial release, often in addition to a cash or surety bail bond. Under Florida law, the defendant is typically responsible for paying all installation and daily monitoring fees associated with the GPS device. Failure to maintain these payments, or violating any designated exclusion zones, constitutes a violation of pretrial release conditions, leading to an immediate arrest warrant and detention without bond.
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