Opinion ID: 1763868
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Sexually Violent Predator Commitment Proceedings

Text: Section 632.480 et seq. provides the procedure for civil commitment of sexually violent predators. To qualify for commitment as a sexually violent predator, the person must have either pleaded guilty or been found guilty by reason of a mental disease or defect of a sexually violent offense or have been committed as a criminal psychopath pursuant to section 632.475. Section 632.480(5). The person also must be found to suffer from a mental abnormality which makes the person more likely than not to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence if not confined in a secure facility. Id. If the person is currently in the custody of the department of mental health or the department of corrections, the proceedings for commitment begin prior to the person's release. Section 632.483. The psychologist completes an end of confinement review and sends written notice to the attorney general and the multidisciplinary team if the person may meet the definition of a sexually violent predator. Id. If the multidisciplinary team and the prosecutorial review committee confirm that finding, the attorney general files a petition for commitment. Section 632.486. The court will determine if probable cause exists and hold a formal hearing. Section 632.489. If the probable cause determination is made, the court orders a psychiatric evaluation and holds a trial sixty days after the evaluation. Section 632.489.4. The person may request a jury trial and has a right to counsel at all stages of the proceeding. Section 632.492. Section 632.495(1) provides that the court or jury shall determine whether, by clear and convincing evidence, the person is a sexually violent predator. Prior to the 2006 amendment, the court or jury was required to find that the person is a sexually violent predator beyond a reasonable doubt.