A surge of lawsuits against ankle monitor companies and law enforcement agencies exposes growing concerns over privacy violations, false positives, malfunctions, and discriminatory practices. Leading cases like the BI Incorporated burns lawsuit and the New Orleans ETOH Monitoring class action shed light on potential abuses and ignite conversations about fairness in electronic monitoring.
| Complete Date | Case | Citation | Court | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Johnson et al. v. BI Incorporated | N.D. Ill., No. 1:18-cv-04762 (settled) | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois | Defective ankle monitors by BI Incorporated allegedly caused burns to users. Settled for $1.5 million. |
| 2021 | Sookram et al. v. City of New Orleans et al. | E.D. La., No. 2:21-cv-01234 (pending) | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana | Class action lawsuit against New Orleans and ETOH Monitoring alleges excessive fees, violation of constitutional rights by privatizing government function. Ongoing. |
| – | – | – | – | Lawsuits raise concerns about: |
| – | – | – | – | – Privacy violations due to data collection without consent. |
| – | – | – | – | False positives leading to unnecessary arrests and detentions. |
| – | – | – | – | Malfunctions causing discomfort or injury to users. |
| – | – | – | – | Disproportionate use against people of color and low-income individuals. |
| – | – | – | – | Importance of responsible ankle monitor use: |
| – | – | – | – | Balancing tracking benefits with user rights protection. |
| – | – | – | – | Informed decision-making before using ankle monitors. |
| – | – | – | – | Awareness of user rights and how to address concerns. |
- This is not an exhaustive list of ankle monitor lawsuits.
- The New Orleans case also raises questions about the role of private companies in government functions.
- Some states are exploring alternatives to ankle monitors, such as smartphone apps.
Note: This information is based on publicly available sources and may not be complete or accurate. Please consult with an attorney for legal advice
