Probation is generally considered a second chance opportunity for people who are convicted of certain crimes. Law enforcement personnel usually take violations seriously. When people fail probation drug testing, they may be subject to restrictions that are more stringent, and sometimes, they are required to enter a drug rehabilitation program. In certain cases, the individual can be sent to jail, where he will carry out the remainder of his punishment. The actual consequences for failing a drug test may depend on the type of crime that was originally committed.
When contemplating appropriate penalties for most probation violations involving drugs or alcohol, a judge will usually consider the circumstances surrounding the original crime that led to a sentence in the first place. If the first offense also involved the illegal use of drugs, then the penalty may be more severe. For example, a judge may conclude that a stricter consequence for failing is warranted for offenders previously convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). In this case, he might order the person to complete a drug rehabilitation program. Jail time may also be considered.
Sometimes, penalties are less drastic. The individual may have committed a relatively minor infraction in the past and has otherwise complied with all of the probationary guidelines. The judge may decide that the most appropriate course of action is to order the offender to serve a number of community service hours. He may also choose to extend an individual’s probation period and impose tighter restrictions on him. House arrest, for example, may be ordered.
Alternatively, or in addition to other penalties, a judge may require a person who fails probation drug testing to wear a specialized monitoring bracelet. The individual wears the appliance at all times and typically, it cannot be easily removed. Attempts to take off the device may send electronic signals to law enforcement, to alert them about unauthorized tampering. Some appliances detect alcohol use when the substance is perspired. Others are programmed to detect drug use by evaluating sleep patterns.
The bracelets are accurate, but if there is ever a doubt, a simple urine test is usually able to confirm suspected indiscretions. This method can act as a sufficient deterrent for offenders. It aids them in abstaining from drugs and alcohol because the device is constantly monitoring them. In fact, this may be more effective than weekly drug testing, in some cases.