Now that a judge has authorized you to serve your sentence on electronic home monitoring (EHM), how do you make sure to take advantage of this great alternative to a jail sentence? The first step is to report to the workhouse on time. If you fail to do so, a judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. You may also be considered to be in violation of the terms of your probation and could be subject to a longer jail sentence.  So be on time. If you are unable to arrange for transportation to the workhouse, report to the Sheriff’s Department in downtown Minneapolis and a police officer will transport you to the workhouse.   
         Secondly, don’t forget to bring your identification with you such as a driver’s license or state ID. No identification, no EHM.
        Thirdly, if you are ordered to serve straight time EHM with no work release privileges, you should report directly to either the Men’s or Women’s section of the Adult Correctional Facility in Plymouth. Be prepared to pay a booking fee of $30.00 and a placement fee of $125.00. You will also need to have an address where you will be staying that can be verified by the staff. For EHM to properly work, your phone line must not have any features like voice mail, an answering machine, call waiting, three-way calling, blocked calls or caller ID. If you do have these features, make sure you have them removed by your phone company well in advance of your reporting date.  Your cell phone will not work with the EHM equipment.
       Should you have any other questions, concerns or need legal representation in a criminal case, please call attorney Robert J. Shane at (612) 339-1024 or refer to the criminal F.A.Q’s section on my website located at www.CriminalLawyerMinnesota.com.