The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has upheld Wisconsin's law requiring lifetime GPS monitoring for certain sex offenders. This ruling affects individuals like Alton Antrim, who challenged the law on Fourth Amendment grounds. The court's decision emphasizes the state's interest in public safety over the privacy rights of repeat offenders.

On November 13, 2026, the Seventh Circuit ruled on case number 25-1460, Alton Antrim v. Jared Hoy, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Antrim, a convicted sex offender, argued that the GPS monitoring law constituted an unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. The court, however, affirmed the lower court's decision, stating that the state's need to monitor repeat sex offenders outweighed individual privacy concerns.

Background

Alton Antrim has a lengthy criminal history involving multiple convictions for sexual offenses against children. He was convicted twice of first-degree sexual assault of a child, once in 1991 and again in 1999. After serving time, he completed his post-confinement supervision in October 2018 but remains subject to lifetime GPS monitoring under Wisconsin law.

The law, WIS. STAT. § 301.48, mandates that certain sex offenders, including those with multiple convictions, wear a GPS tracking device for life. This requirement applies even after the offenders have completed their prison sentences and probation. Antrim, along with two other plaintiffs, initially filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of Corrections, claiming the GPS monitoring was unconstitutional.

The Ruling

The Seventh Circuit, led by Judge Amy C. Barrett, ruled that Wisconsin's GPS monitoring program is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. The court stated, "Wisconsin’s GPS monitoring program is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment because the state’s interest in monitoring repeat sex offenders outweighs the privacy expectations of those subject to surveillance." The judges found that the law serves a compelling state interest in public safety.

Judge Sykes noted that the GPS devices used are relatively small and do not intrude significantly on the wearer's privacy. They transmit real-time location information to law enforcement, which is reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with exclusion zones, such as schools and daycares. The court found that the monitoring does not constitute an unreasonable search, as the state has a strong interest in preventing future offenses.

Impact

This ruling sets a significant precedent for how states can regulate the monitoring of sex offenders. It reinforces the idea that the government can impose restrictions on individuals who have committed serious crimes, particularly when public safety is at stake. The decision may affect hundreds of individuals in Wisconsin who are subject to similar monitoring laws.

The court's ruling also clarifies the balance between individual privacy rights and the state's interest in public safety. It suggests that laws imposing lifetime monitoring on repeat offenders are likely to withstand constitutional challenges, as long as the state can demonstrate a legitimate interest in preventing recidivism.

What's Next

While Antrim's case has been decided, the possibility of an appeal remains. It is unclear whether Antrim or other affected parties will seek further review, but the ruling opens the door for similar challenges in other jurisdictions. Additionally, the court's opinion hints at potential future legal battles regarding the disclosure of GPS tracking data under Wisconsin's open records law.