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 Ohio, SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) devices are used as a form of alcohol monitoring for individuals who are either awaiting trial for a DUI/DWI offense or have been convicted of such an offense. Ohio law allows judges to impose SCRAM as a condition of bond, probation, or as part of a sentence in DUI/DWI cases. The use of SCRAM may be ordered to ensure that the individual abstains from alcohol consumption, and any attempt to tamper with the device can result in penalties, including potential revocation of bond or probation and additional legal consequences. Additionally, volunteering to wear a SCRAM device may be seen by the court as a proactive step by the defendant to demonstrate sobriety and responsibility, which could potentially influence sentencing decisions. The specific conditions under which a SCRAM device is mandated or allowed, and the consequences for tampering with it, are governed by the relevant Ohio Revised Code statutes and the discretion of the presiding judge.