11th Circuit Upholds Computer Ban on Person Serving Lifetime Probation

A Florida Man appealed a condition of his sentence that included a computer ban while he is on probation. He was sentenced to lifetime probation, which means he will never be able to use a computer. He argued that the condition was unconstitutional in light of the US Supreme Court decision in Packingham. The Court, however, noted that Packingham was a restriction on social media access for someone NOT on probation. Since the ban is a condition of probation, it’s distinguished from Packingham and is allowed.

The Court found that a district court does not commit plain error by imposing a computer restriction as a special condition of supervised release, even if the term of supervised release is life.

You can read the decision here: https://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/files/201910678.pdf