Mostly used for multiple or habitual DUI or OWI offenders, courts have begun implementing the use of a SCRAM bracelet to keep individuals under court order to refrain from using alcohol. SCRAM is an acronym for Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, and the name basically says it all.
What is a Scram Bracelet?
The SCRAM bracelet is designed to be an irremovable accessory for individuals that have proven to be unable to control their alcohol consumption. It’s basically a bracelet very similar to those used in cases where an offender has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to house arrest, except the SCRAM bracelet doesn’t monitor the distance between the individual wearing the bracelet and the modem the information is sent through. The bracelet is typically placed around the individual’s ankle, much like the house arrest bracelet. The letters of the acronym, SCRAM, attest to the qualities of the bracelet.
- Secure: Secure is the first word in the acronym because the bracelet is durable and cannot be removed.
- Continuous: The SCRAM bracelet is considered continuous due to the frequency of the bracelet’s function. The bracelet performs a scan of the individual’s sweat every hour, analyzing any alcohol present.
- Remote: The bracelet can perform its functions without being connected directly to the modem that forwards the info to the assigned agency in the county of the offender’s residence. The information is stored in the bracelet and, if alcohol is present at an hourly scan, the information is sent to the modem when the individual returns to its vicinity. Once alcohol is detected, the scans are performed every half-hour to detect whether or not the individual is consuming alcohol or the spike was due to unknown circumstances.
- Alcohol Monitor: This is the base function of the instrument. The bracelet monitors the offender on a continuous basis to monitor the individual’s alcohol consumption. It is appropriate in cases where an offender has been ordered to a “no drink/no drug” term of probation or bond. It monitors both the presence of alcohol and the level of alcohol the individual has consumed.
The SCRAM bracelet method of alcohol control has been utilized in 40 states across the U.S., with varied results. Convictions resulting from alcohol usage while being monitored by the system have been contested successfully, citing the calibration of the machines and the possibility for electronic error. The benefits, however, are shown in the reduction of jail sentences when the offender agrees to be subjected to the SCRAM system. Bond terms may also be more reasonable if the individual allows the court to impart the SCRAM bracelet on him.
Getting Help
If you are facing drug or alcohol charges, the SCRAM bracelet may be a viable alternative to longer jail time or other penalties. You should consult with a criminal defense attorney who can help you plead your case to the court that the SCRAM bracelet is an appropriate penalty for you.
