Court-Ordered Ankle Monitor Services
Tennessee's Premier GPS Offender Tracking Service: Keeping Track of Community Safety
Tennessee's Premier GPS Offender Tracking Service: Keeping Track of Community Safety
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Being on GPS Monitoring Services is a privilege offered in place of incarceration.
While the ability to GPS-track offenders has existed for a long time, immediate, real-time accountability has not. In response to the enactment of the Debbie & Marie Domestic Violence Prevention Act in July 2024, Smoky Mountain Offender Tracking launched our premier services to provide that accountability with an added layer of safety.
Chris Wilkinson, CEO
After years of seeing offenders being falsely accused of violating pre-trial or protective orders, we set out to protect both offenders and survivors. Survivors are sent immediate alerts regarding their abuser’s proximity. If allegations arise, offenders can receive verified location data for the courts.
Within moments of a call, our team responds to local jails, courts, or bail bonding agencies. Clients are fitted with a state-of-the-art ODIN-i GPS monitor and registered in our Computer-Aided GPS Overwatch Platform. Survivors are then contacted to receive their dedicated Samsung Device, digitally linked to the offender with set exclusion zones. If an exclusion zone is breached, both parties are contacted to verify compliance and ensure the survivor’s safety.
All GPS-monitored offenders are continuously tracked to ensure adherence to their bond conditions.
We offer premier services to our clients for many needs at an affordable an competitive cost. We will rise to the task to "git-ur-done" as they say in East Tennessee. Best of all, with the professionalism you want and the results you need.
Laura has over 13 years of experience running a small business, which has fostered a strong commitment to entrepreneurship. Balancing this work alongside raising six children has strengthened her organizational skills and sense of responsibility in both her familial and professional endeavors. In her free time, she enjoys reading.
Known as "The Bitey Shark", Chris moved to East Tennessee in 2015. Chris built Smoky Mountain Offender Tracking as an offshoot of Smoky Mountain Process and Legal Services, one of Tennessee's top litigation support firms.
Living under the mantras of the legendary Tennessee Women's Basketball Coach Pat Summitt and famed Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban, Chris is a fierce defender of those without voices. When the Debby and Marie Domestic Violence Prevention Act was enacted, Chris saw helping to keep Domestic Violence Survivors safe from their Aggressors as a cause to champion, and Smoky Mountain Offender Tracking was born.
A 2025 graduate of Hardin Valley Academy, Zaen attends the University of Tennessee majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He enjoys model Rocketry and attending AirVenture. In addition to volunteering with our Community Outreach Programs, Zaen also volunteers at Recycled Best Friends Dog Rescue.
The Debbie & Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act is a Tennessee law (Public Chapter 1033, effective July 1, 2024) that makes GPS monitoring a mandatory condition of bail for defendants charged with certain domestic violence offenses, aggravated stalking, and violations of protection orders — unless a court specifically finds the defendant no longer poses a threat to the victim or public safety.
It is the first law of its kind in the United States to combine mandatory GPS monitoring with real-time victim notification technology.
The law applies to defendants charged with aggravated domestic assault, elevated stalking, aggravated stalking, and violations of orders of protection who are released on bond while awaiting trial. Courts are required to order GPS monitoring in these cases unless evidence shows the defendant no longer poses a risk.
The Act was signed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on May 31, 2024, and went into effect on July 1, 2024. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 11.
The defendant is required to wear a GPS monitoring device at all times as a condition of their bond. The device tracks their location continuously. The offender is responsible for paying the costs of the monitoring service, unless the court finds they are indigent — in which case they pay only what they are financially able to contribute.
If the offender enters a restricted area, breaches an exclusion zone (such as the victim's home or workplace), or otherwise violates bond conditions, the GPS monitoring company is required by law to immediately notify local law enforcement. Authorities are then dispatched to respond. Violations may result in bond revocation and arrest.
The defendant pays for the GPS monitoring device and its ongoing service costs. If the court determines the defendant is indigent, they are required to pay only what portion of costs they can reasonably afford. The cost is never passed on to the victim.
No. Absolutely not. We do not track, monitor, or collect location data from victims — ever. Our GPS monitoring technology is applied exclusively to court-ordered offenders as a condition of their bond. Your location, movements, and personal data remain entirely private.
The proximity alert system works by detecting when the offender's GPS device enters a zone near your registered location or device. You are never tracked.
Once enrolled, you will receive real-time alerts through a smartphone app, text message, email, or electronic receptor device when the offender's GPS monitor detects they are within a designated proximity of your location. These alerts are sent automatically — you do not have to do anything once you are set up. At the same time, law enforcement is also automatically notified.
With us, as part of the victim notification system, you are issued a dedicated Samsun phone loaded with an immediate notification alarm/panic button for you and emergency alert activation calls to local law enforcement.
Contact our office directly and speak with our Victim Services coordinator. We will walk you through the enrollment process for the notification system. You may also enroll in the Tennessee VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system at vinelink.com for additional notifications about your offender's custody and court status.
No. Your identity and all information you share with our office are kept strictly confidential. We will never disclose your contact information, enrollment status, or inquiries to any offender under any circumstances.
If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. Do not attempt to confront or communicate with the offender. If you have a protective order and believe it is being violated, law enforcement must be contacted immediately. You may also contact our office, and we will coordinate with the monitoring provider and law enforcement on your behalf.
You must wear the GPS device at all times as specified by the court. You are responsible for keeping it charged, not tampering with it, and paying the monitoring service costs. You must comply with all exclusion zones and proximity restrictions set by the court. Any violation may result in immediate notification to law enforcement and revocation of your bond.
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. The law gives judges discretion to waive GPS monitoring if the court makes a specific finding that the defendant no longer poses a threat to the alleged victim or to public safety. This is the exception, not the standard outcome.
If the court determines you are indigent, you will be required to pay only the portion of monitoring costs that you have the financial ability to pay, as determined by the magistrate. This is assessed at the time of your bail hearing. Consult with your attorney regarding your specific situation.
vinelink.com
Register for offender custody & court alerts
Office Hours
9:00 am to 5:00 pm [Weekdays]
Office: Bank of America Building Downtown
550 W. Main St. Suite 600, Knoxville, TN 37902
We respond 24/7/365 [If you call and get voice mail, it means we are in a jail placing a monitor. BE SURE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE INCLUDING YOUR NAME, CHARGE, THE JAIL WHERE YOU ARE INCARCERATED, AND THE CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER.]