24 Hour Toll Free Help

SCRAM bracelet when can I get it off for DUI offense?

Recently on our driving under the influence (DUI) forum a user asked, “It’s been more than a year since I was arrested for my third DUI. I was ordered to wear a SCRAM bracelet, but it’s been five hundred days and I am ready to get it off. It also costs close to $100 per week. What are my options?” Arrested for Drunk Driving According to the manufacturers of the SCRAM CAM system (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor), it is one of the most trusted and widely used 24/7 transdermal alcohol testing systems. Alcohol testing is done by continuously measuring air and perspiration emissions from the skin each hour and downloading the data to the appropriate monitoring agency or the offender’s probation officer. If the offender consumes too much alcohol, generally as little as 0.02% BAC is detected, the police will come and investigate the situation. SCRAM bracelets are generally only required by the state for the most “hardcore” offenders who the state feel need continuous monitoring to ensure they do not consume alcohol and pose a risk to others.

Why are courts requiring the SCRAM bracelet?

Judges require offenders to wear the SCRAM device when they believe the offender would benefit from this particular type of alcohol recovery and treatment program. Although there are some benefits for offenders who are using the device- it’s flexible and eliminates the need to go to a testing center- many offenders find the bracelet annoying. Others are concerned about the costs, especially on top of other fees for probation, counseling, court costs, and fines. Opponents of the program also argue that the bracelet could be considered an infringement on the personal freedoms of some offenders. Proponents of the device disagree, however; arguing the benefits far outweigh the cons, and the costs of the bracelet is comparable to what many offenders would have spent on alcohol each day.

How long will I have to wear a SCRAM bracelet?

An offender will be required to wear a SCRAM bracelet if ordered to by the court or if it is a requirement of a supervision program where Continuous Alcohol Monitoring is a component. In some cases SCRAM may also be required as part of parole or probation. The amount of time required for monitoring is determined by the court with terms generally ranging from two weeks for low level alcohol violations to up to 10 years for the most serious violations. The most common type of program that is assessed requires the offender to complete a 90-day alcohol and tampering free program. Now, with regards to this specific user, he should contact the court or his attorney if he has questions about the penalties for his DUI and the specific number of days the court has ordered him to wear his bracelet. Whether or not he will be able to request to have the SCRAM removed early will depend on several factors such as the judge and whether the time assessed was mandatory time under his state’s DUI laws. Recent blogs: Taking medication and arrested for DUI