Electronic Monitoring Pilot Programs in Pinellas County

The Florida legislature recently approved:

• a misdemeanor electronic monitoring pilot program in Pinellas County, and
• a felony electronic monitoring pilot program in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which includes both Pinellas County and Pasco County.

The electronic pilot program is scheduled to run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. In fact, the newly created Section 741.2905, F.S., is repealed July 1, 2028.

Under the new legislation, the Pinellas County Sheriff is required to design and implement an electronic monitoring program for specified defendants who are convicted of:

• a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence;
• willfully violating certain types of injunctions for protection.

When implementing that pilot program, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office must consult with the chief judge of the judicial circuit, the state attorney, and the public defender.

Read more about attorneys for domestic violence battery in Pinellas County, FL, and what to do immediately after an accusation or arrest.

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pinellas County, FL

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm pay attention to how these programs impact the way judges in Pinellas County, FL, handle cases on a pre-trial basis or at sentencing.

Part of our job is helping our client avoid the electronic monitor, or petition the court to remove that condition if it was already imposed.

The electronic monitors are expensive, and likely to cause inadvertent violations that might result in a violation of probation allegation.

If you would like to avoid electronic monitoring on a pre-trial basis, or are concerned about avoiding a disposition that might include it at sentencing, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm.

We represent clients charged with domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

Call 813-250-0500.

Electronic Monitoring for Misdemeanors in Pinellas County, FL

The court may order, but is not required to order, electronic monitoring supervision if a defendant who is eighteen (18) years of age or older is found guilty of, has adjudication withheld, on the following offenses committed in Pinellas County on or after July 1, 2026, and a court enters a no contact order with a victim as a condition of the defendant’s probation:

• a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, F.S.;
• a misdemeanor violation of an injunction for protection against domestic violence under s. 741.31, F.S.; or
• an injunction for protection against sexual violence or dating violence under s. 784.047, F.S.

The court must order electronic monitoring supervision if a defendant is convicted of committing the
above offenses and the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a threat of violence or physical harm to the victim.

In making such a determination, the court must consider whether the defendant has previously been convicted for violating an injunction for protection against domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking. 

Any order requiring electronic monitoring supervision under the pilot program must terminate no later than June 30, 2028.

For cases in Pinellas County, FL, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office must manage and supervise all persons ordered to electronic monitoring supervision. All other terms and conditions of probation must be managed in accordance with current law.

The sheriff must designate a person to meet with a defendant ordered to electronic monitoring to explain
the conditions of electronic monitoring supervision, including identifying prohibited locations, and
consequences for noncompliance.

A defendant ordered to electronic monitoring supervision must pay the costs of such supervision, which
may be reduced or waived by the sheriff at his or her discretion.

A court may not order electronic monitoring supervision in lieu of any other mandatory term or condition
of probation, including participating in a batterers’ intervention program required under s. 741.281, F.S.

The sheriff must specify a procedure by which a defendant ordered to electronic monitoring supervision
may petition a court to remove such an order, including terminating such an order if the defendant
establishes a permanent residence in another state.

The new legislation requires the sheriff to complete an evaluation of the pilot program’s effectiveness and provide an initial report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by March 1, 2027, a subsequent report by January 1, 2028, and a final report by September 1, 2028.

The report must include the following:

• The number of defendants placed on electronic monitoring supervision;
• The number of violations of electronic monitoring supervision, including the reason for the violation;
• The cost of providing electronic monitoring supervision and the money received by the sheriff to pay for
  such supervision;
• Recommendations on how to improve the efficacy of the program, and any difficulties with implementing
  the program;
• Any other information the sheriff deems relevant.

Felony Pilot Program for Electronic Monitoring in the Sixth Judicial Circuit

The new legislation also authorizes a court in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, in its discretion, to order electronic monitoring supervision by the Department of Corrections (DOC) if a defendant who is 18 years of age or older is found guilty of, has adjudication withheld on, the following offenses committed in Pasco County or
Pinellas County on or after July 1, 2026, and a court enters a no contact order with a victim as a condition of the
defendant’s probation:

• a felony crime of domestic violence, as defined in Section 741.28, F.S.;
• a felony violation of an injunction for protection against domestic violence under s. 741.31, F.S.; or
• an injunction for protection against sexual violence or dating violence under s. 784.047, F.S.

The court must order electronic monitoring supervision if a person is convicted of committing the above offenses and the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a threat of
violence or physical harm to the victim.

In making such a determination, the court must consider whether the defendant or respondent has previously been convicted for violating an injunction for protection against domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking.

The felony pilot program for electronic must comply with the following:

• DOC must designate a person to meet with a defendant ordered to electronic monitoring to explain the
  conditions of electronic monitoring, including identifying prohibited locations, and consequences for
  noncompliance.
• A defendant must pay the costs of electronic monitoring supervision as provided in s. 948.09, F.S.
• A court may not order electronic monitoring supervision in lieu of any other mandatory term or condition
  of probation, including participating in a batterers’ intervention program required under s. 741.281, F.S.
• DOC must specify a procedure by which a defendant ordered to electronic monitoring supervision may
  petition a court to remove such an order.

The DOC must complete an evaluation of the pilot program’s effectiveness and provide an initial report to
the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by March 1, 2027, a subsequent report by January 1, 2028, and a final report by September 1, 2028.

The DOC’s report must include the following:

• The number of defendants placed on electronic monitoring supervision.
• The number of violations of electronic monitoring supervision, including the reason for the violation.
• The cost of providing electronic monitoring supervision and the money received by DOC to pay for such
  supervision.
• Recommendations on how to improve the efficacy of the program, and any difficulties with implementing
  the program.
• Any other information DOC deems relevant.

Additional Resources

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for CAM and GPS – Visit the website of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about the Alternative Sentencing Unit that also covers all pre-trial services. The unit manages Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) Offenders who are court-ordered to wear an alcohol monitor to ensure compliance with their zero alcohol condition. using a portable “remote breath” device. The unit also manages GPS Monitoring Offenders who are outfitted with a GPS ankle bracelet device to monitor compliance with court-ordered conditions or work release.

This article was last updated on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.