Hubbart v. Superior Court of Santa Clara County
(People), S052136, 1999 (19 Cal.4th 1138) –
The California Supreme Court upheld that the civil
commitment of individuals under the stature of the
Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA) did not violate
the federal or state constitutions.
People v. Torres, S079575, 2001 (25 Cal. 4th 680) – The court concludes that there is no requirement
that the defendant’s prior crimes are “predatory
acts”, which are statutorily defined as acts
against a stranger, a casual acquaintance, or someone
cultivated for the purpose of victimization, in order
to find that he or she is a sexually violent predator.
People v. Superior Court of Marin County (Ghilotti),
S102527, 2002 (27Cal.4th888) – The court decision
includes that a sexually violent predator may be committed,
or recommitted if due to a diagnosed mental disorder
there is a substantial danger - that is, a serious
and well founded risk that the individual is likely
to engage in acts of sexual violence without the appropriate
treatment and custody.
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