Opinion ID: 1450936
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Computer Conditions

Text: Condition 5 permits use of computers and computer-related devices, screen user names, passwords, e-mail accounts, and internet service providers as approved by the probation officer. [2] Condition 6 subjects computers, computer-related devices, and peripheral equipment that Goddard uses to search and seizure and installation of monitoring software or hardware, which he is ordered not to remove or modify without prior approval of the probation officer. [3] Condition 7 provides: The defendant shall use computers/devices only within the scope of his employment. The defendant shall not access a computer for any other purposes. [The defendant shall immediately report any changes at his place of employment in regard to his internet access and computer use including but not limited to his internet e-mail.] [You're to . . . immediately report any change of employment to your probation officer.] [4] Goddard acknowledges that these conditions are reasonably related to his offense, but argues that they are unnecessarily restrictive as they effect a total ban on personal computer use. He further maintains that Condition 6 is overbroad because it requires prior approval to complete even simple software updates and is unnecessary given the government's ability to monitor. We see no abuse of discretion with respect to Condition 5; it is consistent with conditions we have previously found permissible. See, e.g., Rearden, 349 F.3d at 620-22; United States v. Antelope, 395 F.3d 1128, 1142 (9th Cir.2005). Likewise, the concept of monitoring and most of Condition 6 is consistent with Rearden. Subjecting computers and other devices able to access the Internet to monitoring, search and seizure is critical to preventing Goddard from viewing or obtaining child pornography, and requiring him to provide billing records is reasonably related to this objective. Accord United States v. Jeremiah, 493 F.3d 1042, 1046 (9th Cir.2007) (monitoring finances permissible for defendant who failed to pay restitution). However, as a practical matter, that part of Condition 6 which requires Goddard to obtain prior approval before making any software modifications is both unworkable and overbroad. Software on any computer connected to the Internet changes constantly. Broadly applied, the software modification portion of Condition 6 would prevent Goddard from using any computer at work without continually contacting his probation officer. This is more restrictive than necessary. Nevertheless, this portion of Condition 6 can reasonably be applied if construed not to condition routine or automatic software additions, deletions, upgrades, updates, installations, repairs, or other modifications on prior approval. Condition 7 is different. While there are ample reasons to restrain Goddard's use of computers, it is problematic to prohibit all use of a computer for any purpose outside of work. It is possible to interpret Condition 7 as doing this, for it allows Goddard to use computers only within the scope of his employment and states that [t]he defendant shall not access a computer for any other purpose. Although we and other courts have upheld limitations on the use of computers and internet access without prior approval of the probation office, see Rearden, 349 F.3d at 621, we have never approved a total ban, and other courts have disapproved conditions precluding such use altogether. See, e.g., United States v. Sofsky, 287 F.3d 122, 126 (2d Cir.2002) (condition prohibiting use of a computer or the Internet without prior approval of the probation office); United States v. Freeman, 316 F.3d 386, 391-92 (3d Cir.2003) (condition forbidding either possession of computer or use of internet service without approval); United States v. White, 244 F.3d 1199, 1205-07 (10th Cir.2001) (condition totally banning internet access). We need not decide how much is too much in this case, however, because Condition 7 does not have to be read as broadly as Goddard suggests it might be read. Rather, reasonably construed in context, Condition 7 means that at work, Goddard shall use computers and computer-related devices only within the scope of his employment. In other words, he is prohibited from using his work computer for personal purposes. Condition 5, on the other hand, governs  and permits  personal use of computers and computer-related devices as approved by the probation officer. We believe this construction comports with the district court's overall intention, and with § 3583(d).