Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP)

Mission

The Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) is the Dane County Court's home monitoring bracelet program. These clients have been convicted of different criminal charges, which can be traffic misdemeanors and felonies. These defendants are sentenced to EMP in lieu of doing jail time. Some cases the defendants are eligible for all of their time on EMP and in other circumstances they are required to do some time in jail. The defendant's monitoring can vary from days to one year depending on their sentence. On EMP, the defendants are restricted to their home unless approved by the EMP supervisor. Approved appointments include work, medical appointments, legal appointments, etc. Accountability and compliance with EMP rules are the primary goals of the program. The equipment relays information whenever the defendant leaves their residence whether approved or not. The system uses the telephone to transmit this information. Therefore, the line must be free of all features. A defendant may be sentenced to EMP "when eligible." In this case, the defendant would be eligible when they have met the basic eligibility criteria. The minute sheets initiate referrals which are provided by the Clerk of Courts or by the defense attorney. If a minute sheet is not received, we have no way of knowing that the referral exists.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

• Defendant must have a satisfactory behavior record in the jail
• Defendant must have a verifiable and suitable residence with a telephone
• Defendant must have verifiable employment, school, or childcare duties. An exception to this would be verifiable disability
• Defendant must contribute to the cost of the program. The standard fee is $20.00 per day for Dane County convictions and $23.00 per day for convictions from other counties. (There is a sliding scale for individuals who meet certain financial requirements). The first month must be paid in advance
• All payments must be made timely to remain on the program

EMP Rules & Requirements

• One face-to-face contact in the ATIP office per week
• Maintain phone line with no telephone service options or internet services on that line unless approved by ATIP
• Maintain all curfews and schedules established by the ATIP staff. This includes the defendant keeping the ATIP office informed of his/her whereabouts at all times
• The defendant shall avoid all conduct, which violates federal and state statutes, municipal or county ordinances or which is not in the best of public welfare
• The defendant shall not use or possess any controlled substance or alcohol
• Determine if additional superivision tools would be appropriate (EMP/Alcohol Monitoring)
• The defendant shall no enter the premise of a bar or tavern unless approved by the case manager
• The defendant shall continue to make agreed payments to contribute to the cost of the program
• The defendant will be required to make bi-weekly or monthly payments
• The defendant shall contact the ATIP office at least two weeks prior to start date to arrange details.

If the defendant violates any of the above it may result in their return to the dane county jail to serve the balance of their sentence, plus all good time is forfeited. Prepayments are not refundable.