Opinion ID: 2708545
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Unsupervised Contact with Children

Text: Special condition 4 bars Baker from having unsupervised contact with children, including his own, unless a state court judge enters an order allowing otherwise. It essentially en- compasses two groups: Baker’s minor children and minors in general. The issue of no-contact conditions has been discussed at length by this Court, in addition to other circuits across the country. See, e.g., Goodwin, 717 F.3d at 523–24 (vacating a no-contact condition because the district court did not provide an explanation as to why it was reasonably related to the defendant’s offense and background); United States v. Zobel, 696 F.3d 558, 564–65, 574–75 (6th Cir. 2012) (upholding a no-contact condition where the defendant knowingly coerced and enticed minors through online chatting and text messages to engage in sexual activity); Simons, 18 No. 13-1641 614 F.3d at 481–82 (upholding a condition that allowed the defendant to have contact with minors, including his own children, if he obtained his probation officer’s consent); United States v. Rodriguez, 558 F.3d 408, 417–18 (5th Cir. 2009) (affirming a special condition involving a complete ban on unsupervised contact with minors, including the defendant’s two minor children). The government concedes that the ban on supervised contact with Baker’s own children should be vacated, noting that there is no evidence that Baker has abused or attempted to abuse his own children, or that he is a danger to his own family. Cf. United States v. Lonjose, 663 F.3d 1292, 1302–03 (10th Cir. 2011) (recognizing “a fundamental right of familial association” and vacating a condition prohibiting the defendant from having contact with his minor son and other minor relatives unless he received advance permission from his probation officer). We therefore vacate special condition 4. On remand, the judge should also consider the scope of the condition and Baker’s argument that an exception should be included “for commercial business and in cases of incidental or unintentional conduct” with minors in general.