November 17, 2025 | Criminal Law
House arrest, also known as home incarceration, is an alternative to traditional jail time in Kentucky. Instead of serving a sentence behind bars, a person ordered to house arrest is required to stay at home for a specific period of time while being electronically monitored.
This option may be possible for certain non-violent offenders, individuals with health problems, and defendants awaiting trial who are considered low risk. While it may sound lenient, house arrest in Kentucky comes with strict rules that must be followed.
Here’s what you should know about how house arrest works in Kentucky and what to expect if it becomes part of your criminal case.
How Does House Arrest Work in Kentucky?
Per KRS § 532.200 and subsequent statutes, Kentucky law allows eligible defendants to serve part or all of their sentence through home incarceration. This can be used as a condition of probation as well, in some instances.
When placed in the Home Incarceration Program (HIP), you must remain within your approved residence at all times unless given permission to leave for specific reasons, such as:
- Work and school
- Medical appointments
- Court appearances
- Religious services
- Counseling programs
Participants are typically required to wear an electronic monitoring device to ensure compliance, often an ankle bracelet that tracks their movements and location. The device immediately alerts authorities if you leave your designated area or tamper with the equipment.
Eligibility for House Arrest
Not everyone qualifies for house arrest in Kentucky. The court determines eligibility based on several factors, including the type of offense in question and the person’s prior criminal history.
Generally, you may be eligible if:
- Your offense is non-violent or non-sexual in nature.
- You have a stable residence and reliable phone service.
- You demonstrate a willingness to follow all supervision rules.
- You are not considered a threat to public safety.
For example, house arrest might be granted for charges such as minor drug offenses, but not for violent crimes like homicide. Judges have wide discretion in this context, meaning each case is evaluated individually.
Costs and Responsibilities
In many cases, defendants are required to pay for their own monitoring equipment while on house arrest. Participants must also comply with a range of other requirements, which may include:
- Submitting to random drug and alcohol tests
- Maintaining steady employment and/or school attendance
- Checking in regularly with a probation officer
- Following curfews and restrictions on visitors
Failing to meet any of these conditions can result in immediate removal from the program and transfer to jail to serve the remainder of the sentence.
What Happens if I Violate My House Arrest Terms?
House arrest in Kentucky is a serious legal commitment. Violations, such as coming home late and leaving without permission, can lead to severe consequences.
If you break the terms of your home incarceration, the court may:
- Revoke your house arrest privilege
- Order you to serve your remaining sentence in jail
- Impose additional fines
Depending on the circumstances, you may also face new criminal charges for offenses such as violating a court order or tampering with monitoring equipment.
Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Louisville Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, house arrest may be a possible alternative to incarceration. One of our respected Louisville criminal defense lawyers can evaluate your legal options and argue for your eligibility as thoroughly as possible under state law.
Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
For more information, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers give us a call today at (502) 371-7000 or visit us at our Louisville Law Office.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Louisville
214 Clay Street, Suite A,
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 371-7000
