The Municipal Court offers several alternatives in lieu of traditional jail time:
- Work crew
- Electronic home monitoring
- Community service through a state non-profit organization
- Work release at the defendant’s expense
These programs benefit the court and the community because:
- Defendants complete their sentences without an early release due to jail overcrowding
- Substantial saving in jail expenses
- Defendants give back to the community
- Work crew provides a labor resource for maintenance projects in the cities of Lakewood, University Place, and DuPont.
Work Crew
The Work Crew option is offered to low-risk offenders who are screened prior to acceptance into the program. All participants are supervised by the Work Crew Supervisor or designee while performing labor.
Work hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All individuals must be physically able to perform manual labor-type jobs. Medical documentation must be filed to show an inability to work. As work crew is a privilege and alternative to jail, strict compliance with work crew rules is required for participants to successfully complete their obligation.
For questions call 253-983-7806.
Electronic Home Monitoring
Offenders placed on electronic home monitoring (EHM) are confined to their residence except for employment, treatment, court, and medical appointments. The system tracks when offenders enter and leave their residence and any violation is reported to the court.
In conjunction with EHM, the Judge may order the individual to have an alcohol monitoring device. This is to evaluate compliance and provide the court with immediate notification of any violation. All individuals on EHM are required to meet weekly with a Court Compliance Officer and submit to weekly alcohol/drug testing. As EHM is a privilege and alternative to jail, strict compliance with EHM rules is required for participants to successfully complete their obligation.
Your court order will have a date/time to report to the court for EHM hook up. You need to arrive on time and plan to be here for one hour. Failure to appear will result in a warrant for your arrest. You need to bring a $100 deposit and a list of current medications. If the Judge approved you to enroll with an outside vendor you may only use one of the approved providers (PDF). Proof of enrollment is due prior to your connection appointment with our Court Compliance Officers.