Famous faces who have worn ankle monitors
Even the rich and famous aren't above the law. From actors and musicians to politicians and athletes, a surprising number of public figures have found themselves wearing electronic ankle monitors, whether for house arrest, probation, or court-ordered surveillance. Curious to know which celebrities had their freedom limited by the justice system?
Click on for the most notable names who've worn an ankle monitor.
Martha Stewart
After serving five months in prison for insider trading charges in 2004, lifestyle-mogul Martha Stewart was placed under house arrest at her estate in Bedford, New York, in 2005.
During this period, she was required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, restricting her movements and marking a highly publicized chapter in her career.
Roman Polanski
Filmmaker Roman Polanski was detained in Switzerland in 2009 at the request of US authorities due to an outstanding warrant stemming from a 1977 statutory rape case. After pleading guilty but fleeing the US before sentencing, he remained a fugitive for decades.
Lindsay Lohan
Actress Lindsay Lohan was ordered to wear a SCRAM bracelet, a sweat‑monitoring alcohol detection device, during her house arrest in 2011 following probation violations, including missing court‑ordered classes and a jewelry theft case.
Nicolas Sarkozy
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was ordered in December 2024 to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year after France's highest court upheld his corruption conviction due to influence peddling and bribery.
Tracy Morgan
Comedian Tracy Morgan pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in New York City in 2007, violating probation terms. As a result, he was required to wear a SCRAM bracelet, an alcohol-monitoring electronic ankle device, for 90 days.
TMZ reported that this device tests for sweat every 30 minutes and would reset the mandatory period if alcohol was detected.
Michelle Rodriguez
Actress Michelle Rodriguez, best known for her role in 'The Fast and the Furious' franchise, faced multiple DUI-related arrests in both California and Hawaii between 2006 and 2007.
Jair Bolsonaro
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was ordered on July 18, 2025, by Brazil's Supreme Court to wear an electronic ankle monitoring bracelet amid his trial for allegedly attempting a coup following Brazil's 2022 election defeat.
Authorities cited a credible flight risk, imposing restrictions including bans on social media use, nighttime and weekend travel, and contact with foreign diplomats. Bolsonaro called the measure a "supreme humiliation."
Dr. Dre
Rapper and producer Dr. Dre (Andre Young) pleaded guilty in 1993 to assault on a police officer. He received house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor.
Phil Rudd
Phil Rudd, drummer for AC/DC, was sentenced in 2015 to eight months of home detention for methamphetamine possession and making death threats.
Eve
In 2007, Grammy-winning rapper and actress Eve found herself in legal trouble after being arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles. The incident, which involved crashing her gold Maserati into a median, led to a DUI conviction.
Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie, the socialite and reality TV star best known for 'The Simple Life,' was convicted of DUI in 2007 after a highly publicized incident where she was caught driving the wrong way on a Los Angeles freeway.
6ix9ine (Tekashi 69)
Rapper 6ix9ine (Daniel Hernandez) was released early from a two‑year federal racketeering and drug‑trafficking sentence due to COVID‑19 concerns in 2020.
Andy Dick
Actor-comedian Andy Dick, known for his unpredictable behavior, pleaded guilty in 2008 to misdemeanor battery and drug possession after a widely publicized arrest involving an altercation outside a California restaurant.
