Comments on SCRAM Bracelets, Money, and Big Brother | Austin DWI Lawyer

bcjoven@gmail.com (dui lawyer san diego) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:57:02 -0600

I don't know if this is going to work. It's like house arrest.

taime2@yahoo.com (dwi accused) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:58:45 -0600

I was forced to wear the SCRAM bracelet in addition to having ignition interlock in Travis Co. after being arrested for a second DWI while being on probation for the first. It costs about $75 to be put on and $12 per day to wear it. I felt it had many flaws. It left me with a horrible rash which is still visible on my calf despite having it removed about 6 months ago. The woman who installed it said it was common to have irritation. It also left my ankle on that foot very bruised to the point that it was extremely painful to walk. Then, I was brought into court due to having a positive response, although it had been at least 4 months since I had consumed any alcohol. The judge had attended a conference on SCRAM in which she learned false positives were very common, so she gave me the benefit of the doubt. However, I was working in a restaurant that had cameras the entire time my alcohol report had spiked, so I could prove I was sober. I was still forced to quit my job which left me with no way to pay the almost $400 per month fee. So I understand it is a deterrent to drinking, but I believe it is cruel and unusual punishment.

jd867530@aol.com (a person that cares) — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:44:46 -0600

i had this on 4 almost 3 weeks. i am allergic to any types of metal on bare skin. i have half dollar scabs on each side of my left ankle. the brainacts at scram put a scram 2 on my rightankle. same thing happened. i went to my doc. today. he wants it off now. due to infection and possibe blood and bone infection.if that happens its 6 to 6 months of a i. v. to stop the infection. no 1 told me about that! it might be rare but it does happen. no 1 at scram gives a shit. they will when they get served with a lawsuit. again, freedom of speech. i am a first time offender. in the state of il. no tickets in 21 yrs. 4 them to slap this thing on is so wrong. dont get me wrong people on 2 nd or third or more should get what they deserve. . but who is paying off who????????

marcellus91872@netzero.net (Joseph) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:04:00 -0600

I wore one in 2005 for 8 months. Due to 3 false-positives and one that led to a conviction because I lacked witnesses I started an intense study to find why I lost $14,000 for an offense that did not occur and blogged it. I found that AMS's testing could have "proved my innocence" for it shows that saran wrap, a black trash bag, cardboard and a sock all failed to mask a drinking episode, the read was muted but still a positive. So many Constitutional violations including the Right to Bodily Integrity, I too had the abrasions (pictures available)that are now permanent scars.

newman_perry7@yahoo.com (LINA) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:11:37 -0600

I also am wearing the SCRAM moniter.. I am a first time offender and this thing is aweful I try to clean the area and completly dry it its impossible and it stinks like crap!!!!!!! GA !!!

fightscraminjustice@gmail.com (lester) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:24:59 -0600

I find it ironic that this is a blog on a DUI attorney's website, and he won't help fight this thing. I am not a lawyer, however I am collecting people's stories of their false positives and intend to sue AMS. If you will, please forward your issues with scram to fightscraminjustice@gmail.com. Join in the fight. I already have several documentations. It's one thing to punish the begavior, but to do so with technology that is questionable and a court system that is sleeping is absolutely abhorrent.

jamie@austindefense.com (Jamie) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:04:46 -0600

Lester:

Thanks for stopping by, but I'm not sure why you label me as an attorney that won't fight SCRAM.

In fact, I have a case right now - a probation revocation - where I am doing just that...

Jamie

platinument01@zoominternet.net (Brian) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:58:33 -0600

I'm curious how you are coming along with this? I was put on it 3 weeks ago after I was released after doing almost 7 months of jail on a DUI, The Appelate Court ordered me to be released on appeal with a ROR bond and the Court Of Common Please (Lower Court) judge seems he is above and beyond them and over-rided my bond and ordered me to wear the scram and report to probation every week. Here is my concern how can that seem fair, I got out on appeal and have to pay $15 a day to wear this, when that judge was wrong in my trial and tainted the jury and he's pissed. Anyway, I have already had 2 false positives, and haven't drank yet, I went straight to probation and got tested when they called and they released me, and said it must've been something in the air.....!!!!!! Something in the air, thats complete crap, this thing is gonna put ALOT of innocent people in jail with these false positives and if they can't prove it. A complete constituitional violation if you ask me. I'm just curious what you have come up with so far.

jpeterm@excite.com (Mitchell) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:53:33 -0600

I have the scram on my ankle now for 2 and a half months. The battery has already had to be changed twice, it gave two false reading which I can prove and now they called saying that I must come in because the bracelet is defective and I need a new one. What is going on, Iam paying $10 a day for something that is not working. Help. Peter 727-808-6390

jpeterm@excite.com (Mitchell) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:54:13 -0600

westcoastyachts@aol.com (Justin) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:01:25 -0600

I am being charged with a 3rd offense dui and part of my bond was to wear a scram ankle monitor and not to drive. Its costing $420.00 per month which is crazy with todays economy issues. So far I haven't seen where they order both but maybe there are cases. The scram has been on me for a little more than 3 weeks and has caused major irritation, gave 3 tampering reading that were false and has had the battery go dead twice and they think that I am causing it. What they don't tell you is that if you work in a job that your moving alot its easy to hit the scram which leads to severe pain and a bruised bone. They also tell you to thoroughly clean and dry underneath after you shower. Thats impossible without causing it to give a tampering reading. I am curious how my leg will look when it is taken off. I have read alot on the internet about the scram and I don't really know what to think about the accuracy of the device. I am not worried because I am not drinking or anything but if it gives false readings and causes problems like this, isn't it a bit too unreliable just to throw on people and depend on?