Charged with Domestic Assault in TN? Expect a GPS Monitor

 Posted on June 27, 2025 in Domestic Violence

If you are charged with felony aggravated domestic assault – or, in some cases, even simple domestic assault – you may face more than just court dates and legal fees. There is a strong chance that you will be ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device under relatively new Tennessee laws.

For many defendants, this requirement can come as a surprise, bringing serious implications for privacy, freedom of movement, and daily life. What does it mean for you, legally and practically, when navigating domestic assault charges and convictions? Help is available for you when you speak to an experienced Knoxville, TN criminal defense lawyer.  

When is GPS Monitoring Required?

As of a year ago, those arrested for aggravated domestic violence in the state of Tennessee were required to wear a GPS monitoring device until their court dates. The bill passed with bipartisan support, requiring that victims be notified when their abuser is within a certain distance. The measure was named for a mother and daughter who were murdered in 2021 by the mother’s husband, who had a prior arrest for strangling his wife until she lost consciousness.  

Is GPS Monitoring Mandatory?

Anyone charged with felony aggravated domestic assault must be fitted with a GPS monitor as a condition of release, even when a bond is posted. Release will not be granted for the defendant until the monitor is paid for and installed.

The requirement is mandatory for judges, although the law technically allows a judge to waive the GPS requirement. However, in practice, judges are unlikely to exercise this discretion because they would not want to be responsible for a tragedy.

For non-aggravated domestic assault, the arresting officer should inform the alleged victim of his or her right to have the defendant wear a GPS ankle monitor, providing the alleged victim with a phone application that provides notification when the defendant is within a specific distance.  

How Does GPS Monitoring Technology Work?

A non-removable, waterproof, shock-resistant GPS tracker is affixed to the wrist or ankle of a defendant 24 hours a day. The GPS tracker must usually be charged daily and provides the defendant’s location via GPS satellites, cellular towers, or Wi-Fi.

Depending on the alleged offense, the constraints of the GPS monitor may be extremely restrictive or less restrictive. There may be a curfew for the defendant, or home detention may be required, with exceptions for employment, education, religious activities, attorney visits, or court appearances.

"Exclusion zones" are geographical areas from which a participant is excluded, such as the victim’s residence or place of employment. When the tracking device leaves an inclusion zone without permission or enters an exclusion zone, an alert is generated.

What Are HB 580 and SB 601?

As of March 15, 2025, HB 580 and SB 601 have been introduced that would require a defendant who is ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device as a condition of pretrial release to pay the costs associated with operating the device and the costs associated with the alleged victim’s cellular application or electronic receptor device.

The GPS service provider would be required to notify the court in writing within five days of non-payment, and the court will immediately schedule a show cause hearing within 10 days. During this hearing, the court could revoke the defendant’s bond and incarcerate the defendant or allow the defendant to bring the payments current.

Alternative funding sources could also be explored if these sources exist. A GPS service provider is not required to continue providing this service if the provider has not been paid by the defendant or another source.

Contact a Sevierville County, TN Criminal Defense Lawyer

A GPS monitor is more than a device – it is a serious legal condition. Early intervention by a Sevierville, TN criminal defense attorney from The Baker Law Firm is key to protecting your rights and your future. The attorneys at our firm provide no-nonsense advice as we pursue justice for our clients. To schedule your free consultation, call 865-200-4117.