Source: https://www.sccourts.org/opinions/displayOpinion.cfm?caseNo=26000
Timestamp: 2019-08-22 20:07:00
Document Index: 154974818

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44', '§ 44']

However, in a case raising a novel issue of law, the appellate court is free to decide the question of law with no particular deference to the trial court. Osprey v. Cabana Ltd. Partn., 340 S.C. 367, 372, 532 S.E.2d 269, 272 (2000); I’On v. Town of Mt. Pleasant, 338 S.C. 406, 411, 526 S.E.2d 716, 718 (2000). The Court will reverse the PCR judge’s decision when it is controlled by an error of law. Sheppard v. State, 357 S.C. 646, 651, 594 S.E.2d 462, 465 (2004); Pierce v. State, 338 S.C. 139, 145, 526 S.E.2d 222, 225 (2000).
Petitioner’s primary contention is that his counsel failed to inform him his CSC conviction would make him eligible for possible civil commitment under the SVPA as a “sexually violent predator.”[1] Petitioner asserts he should have been informed of his potential for civil commitment as a consequence of his plea, and counsel’s failure to advise him resulted in a plea that was not knowing and voluntary.
The SVPA, S.C. Code Ann. §§ 44-48-10 to -170 (Supp. 2004), is a civil commitment procedure for the long-term care and treatment of sexually violent predators. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-20; see Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346, 117 S.Ct. 2072, 138 L.Ed.2d 501 (1997) (upholding Kansas’ Sexually Violent Predator Act, from which South Carolina’s law is patterned); In re Matthews, 345 S.C. 638, 550 S.E.2d 311 (2001); State v. Gaster, 349 S.C. 545, 564 S.E.2d 87 (2002). The SVPA provides that one hundred eighty days before a person convicted of a sexually violent offense is released from confinement, the agency releasing the prisoner gives written notice to a multi-disciplinary team and the Attorney General. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-40(A). Within thirty days of receiving notice, the multi-disciplinary team, which is appointed by the Director of the Department of Corrections, assesses whether the person satisfies the definition of a sexually violent predator. If it is determined the person satisfies the definition of a sexually violent predator, the multidisciplinary team must forward a report of the assessment to the prosecutor’s review committee. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-50. The prosecutor’s review committee, which is appointed by the Attorney General, determines whether probable cause exists to believe the person is a sexually violent predator. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-60.
If the prosecutor’s review committee determines probable cause exists to support the allegation, the Attorney General may file a petition with the court in the jurisdiction in which the person committed the offense to request that the court make a probable cause determination as to whether the person is a sexually violent predator. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-70. If the probable cause determination is made, the person is transferred to a secure facility for evaluation. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-80(D). Within sixty days of the probable cause hearing, a trial is conducted to determine whether the person is a sexually violent predator. The person or Attorney General may request a jury trial. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-90. The court or jury shall determine whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, the person is a sexually violent predator. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-48-100.
For the foregoing reasons, we conclude a defendant’s possible commitment under the Sexually Violent Predator Act is a collateral consequence of sentencing pursuant to a guilty plea or a conviction. Therefore counsel was under no obligation to inform Petitioner of possible commitment under the SVPA.