An alcohol ankle monitor—also known as a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor)—is an ankle bracelet consisting of two small boxes secured by a strap and worn 24 hours a day. A SCRAM monitors perspiration on the skin for alcohol content—similar to the way a breathalyzer test measures blood alcohol concentration. A SCRAM is tamper-resistant and if a person attempts to remove or tamper with it, the tampering will be detected and reported through the remote monitoring service.
A person who is out of jail on bond awaiting a DUI/DWI trial may be ordered to wear a SCRAM. And a person who has been convicted of a DUI/DWI criminal offense may be ordered to wear a SCRAM for some period of time—as a condition of probation, for example. A person convicted of a DUI/DWI criminal offense may also volunteer to wear a SCRAM in an effort to reduce the severity of the sentence.
In Texas, a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) device is used as a form of monitoring for individuals who have been charged with or convicted of DUI/DWI offenses. The courts may require the use of a SCRAM as a condition of bond for those awaiting trial on DUI/DWI charges, ensuring that they abstain from alcohol consumption. Additionally, SCRAM devices can be mandated as a condition of probation for those convicted of such offenses. The use of a SCRAM may also be voluntarily chosen by an individual in an attempt to demonstrate sobriety and potentially mitigate the severity of their sentence. The device is designed to detect any attempts at tampering and will report such incidents through its monitoring service. The regulations surrounding the use of SCRAM devices are part of the broader legal framework aimed at preventing repeat offenses and ensuring compliance with court-ordered sobriety.
