Michigan courts routinely order anyone who has been convicted of an alcohol related offense to refrain from the use of alcohol. It’s also common for a person just accused of drunk driving, before any conviction, to be ordered not to drink alcohol. In order to enforce these orders the courts use several means of alcohol consumption detection. In this article you’ll learn how Soberlink works, its cost, and why it’s more effective than SCRAM.
Typically, courts will order that a defendant must submit to random breath tests at a JAMS location or it will order that a defendant must wear a SCRAM tether that will regularly take a sample of a person’s sweat usually every 30 minutes in order to detect alcohol. The SCRAM tether is invasive and must be worn on the body at all times – so it’s not the most practical option. And having to drive to a specific location for testing every day is extremely inconvenient.
SOBERLINK on the other hand allows for remote alcohol monitoring and combines the convenience of a Breathalyzer with the ability to not have a device secured to your body.
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How does the SOBERLINK work?
The SOBERLINK combines breath alcohol testing technology with a cellular phone that sends breath alcohol test results directly to a cloud-based website for a probation department to review.
The device also contains a built in camera that takes a picture of the user during the test for identity verification. This technology allows for more accountability of the user.
How often a user will be required to test will be determined by the court and can be changed as needed.
Typically the user will test two to four times a day and he or she will receive automated text reminders of when the tests will be required. This reduces anxiety in the user of the fear of missing tests.
In addition, the probation department will receive automated daily, weekly, or monthly reports from the SOBERLINK website.
If there are any positive test results the probation department will be notified immediately.
What does the SOBERLINK look like and how much does it cost?
SOBERLINK is also convenient for the user to carry. The device is very similar in size and appearance as the PBT device that officers give a user on the side of the road. Or you could say it’s the size of a typical smart phone.
The SOBERLINK is less expensive than the SCRAM tether and PBT testing sessions at JAMS. The costs are as follows
– A SCRAM tether will cost the user approximately $15.00 per day
– Testing through JAMS will cost approximately $4.00 per test
– SOBERLINK is just under $10.00.
Requesting the use of the SOBERLINK device will appease the court’s testing conditions and offer the user more convenience than the tether or PBT testing.
With the SOBERLINK the user can swim, bathe, and pass through metal detectors without restrictions.
And because the SOBERLINK is a handheld device, users can provide a breath sample without having to travel to another location.
Ask your lawyer or probation department about one today.
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Attorney Morris is trial lawyer who has been providing high-quality legal representation in the areas of state and federal criminal defense for more than 20 years. He’s known for his trial preparation by fellow attorneys, judges and clients alike. As a trial attorney, he’s dedicated to attaining justice in every case, and is always prepared to successfully take on complex legal issues. Barton and his law firm pride themselves on obtaining results for their clients that other attorneys cannot.
Not only does Barton Morris have extensive experience, he also engages in continuing legal education to provide the highest quality legal services. Barton has received specialized scientific training through the American Chemical Society, and is the only forensic lawyer-scientist in Michigan. He attended the prestigious Trial Lawyers College and serves on its Alumni Association Board of Directors. Barton Morris is also a board member of several distinguished legal associations including the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys, and the DUI Defense Lawyer’s Association Justice Foundation. He’s also an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and has graduated from their National Criminal Defense Trial College in Macon, Georgia.
Barton Morris is consistently chosen as a Top Lawyer of Metro Detroit and for DUI/OWI and criminal defense by DBusiness Magazine and Hour Magazine. He has also been chosen as a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense.