Opinion ID: 1110277
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: time limitation for final hearing

Text: The specific provision of the Ryce Act at issue in this case involves the time for trial after a court has made a determination of probable cause under section 394.915. Section 394.916 states, in pertinent part: (1) Within 30 days after the determination of probable cause, the court shall conduct a trial to determine whether the person is a sexually violent predator. (2) The trial may be continued upon the request of either party and a showing of good cause, or by the court on its own motion in the interests of justice, when the person will not be substantially prejudiced. § 394.916, Fla. Stat. (1999) (emphasis added). The question before this Court actually involves three distinct issues; whether the emphasized language should be considered jurisdictional, meaning that after the thirty days have elapsed the court loses jurisdiction over the case; whether the language is mandatory, meaning that the trial must be held within thirty days; or, whether the language is simply directory, meaning that compliance with the time limit is discretionary and merely a matter of convenience. Upon review, we conclude that by its plain terms, the thirty-day provision is mandatory but not jurisdictional.