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Abstract: 

This is the second part of a two-part article addressing sexual offender legislation in Florida. The first part of the article outlined the legislation relating to registration and community notification laws. This part focuses primarily on civil commitment and the constitutional challenges to Florida legislation. On September 11, 1995, nine-year-old Jimmy Ryce was abducted at gunpoint while on his way home from school in Miami, FL. In 1998, Juan Carlos Chavez was convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and murdering Jimmy. In the wake of this highly publicized case, Florida passed the Jimmy Ryce Involuntary Civil Commitment Act for Sexually Violent Predators’ Treatment and Care, which went into effect on January 1, 1999.

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Affiliations:  1: John Jay College of Criminal Justice; 2: Appalachian State University.