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Examining agencies in charge of tracking monitors on defendants

By and
Published  June 20, 2023 2:09pm CDT
Breaking Bond
FOX 26 Houston

HOUSTON - On another edition of Behind Breaking Bond, FOX 26's Randy Wallace looks at pre-trial services for agencies in charge of monitoring defendants out on bond. 

MORE: New Texas law makes it illegal to remove, tamper with, or destroy electronic monitoring device

In other words, does agency have the manpower to track all the defendants, especially those on monitors?

Most people are surprised to learn it's not a crime to remove or destroy an ankle monitor. In fact, it's only a technical violation of a defendant's parole probation or bond conditions. 

New law going into effect in September will make it illegal to tamper or destroy a monitoring device

FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace has more on the law and what it means for offenders who tamper or attempt to destroy their monitoring device.

Some courts take no action or wait weeks or months to do something to defendants who remove their ankle monitors.

In our ongoing series, Breaking Bond, we found several instances where innocent people were killed allegedly at the hands of repeat offenders who removed their ankle monitors.

RELATED: Houston man sentenced for removing ankle monitor to kill Cypress teen

That will change on September 1 when the new law making it a felony to remove tamper with or destroy an electronic monitoring device goes into effect. The crime will be a state jail felony which carries a maximum sentence of two years behind bars. 

Tune in every Tuesday at 3 p.m. for more Behind Breaking Bond.