RICHMOND, Va. — Two Virginia Democratic lawmakers are spearheading a push to repeal a decades-old law that allows the state to hold certain sex offenders at psychiatric facilities indefinitely after their criminal sentences if they are deemed “sexually violent predators.”
Critics say civil commitment laws are fundamentally unfair and violate the constitutional prohibition against punishing someone twice for the same crime. Supporters counter that the laws protect society from repeat offenders who are unable to control their behavior.
Sen. Joe Morrissey and Del. Patrick Hope, both Democrats, are co-sponsoring legislation that would end the state’s authority to civilly commit sex offenders.
“It is as archaic and as Neanderthal a process as I can imagine,” said Morrissey, a defense attorney and lead patron of the bill that would repeal 1999’s Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act.
“We don’t sentence people because of what they might do,” he said. “That’s abhorrent to everything that our democracy and our criminal justice system believes in.”
Twenty states and the federal government now have civil commitment laws, which have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Morrissey’s bill is drawing criticism from Republicans and raising eyebrows among some Democrats who believe the state should retain the ability to commit the most serious sex offenders.
Praying to god almighty they end this evil.
@Jack. I heard about this on FAC. While I hope this is not only for me but for everybody else mixed up in much of this registry buff. and we should all think on this as a positive step in the right move for much of this illegal ordeal for many.
This is from my friends at Safer Virginia Senator Joe Morrissey has introduced SB 1244 that would eliminate civil commitment in Virginia and I’m sure it would be worth wild for all states in many area’s of this sex offender ordeal for many of these types of situations. Check their site out as my friend their JP Welsh and those at Safer Virginia do have some good news’ from time to time.
For all those do gooders, let’s lock you up for something you might do. After all you can never be to careful. Wonder what they would say to that.
Last time I heard from JP. was about two years ago and him and his wife were in Roanoke, VA doing something their course I’m classified as a tier III so I don’t really understand this classification from many states. Hope something good comes to everyone on here as much of this is unjust in many in several ways.
Even as you all say the provoking when one goes to their field district office for monthly reviews is a bit to much when one has to go thru a metal detector each time. The poly test one doesn’t want to even want to put a handle in that one. Even the finger printing.
I really hope all other states take similar actions as this. Civil commitment is punitive and unconstitutional! 😠 And, as always, no other offenders is treated this way – they are all released after their sentences is completed.😡
@ David
I’d show no mercy because these people don’t. I would have “chestnuts roasting on a open fire” or “Highway to Hell” playing; while showing them reasons they are going to Hell. For kicks I’ll show them pictures.
Janice, do you think writing to these legislators in support of this bill would be a good thing? And if so, let us know how, please! Thanks
Where is Mary Devoy on this besides retired from dealing with topics like this? Who is running this in her place? They would know how to best help this bill.
I wonder if these people liked getting punished for things they didn’t do when they were younger. Now they have no problem passing laws on people that had nothing to do with kidnapping, raping or murder of a kid; keeping them incarcerated all because a state employee rolls a dice saying that person is a danger. I guess the Hippocratic Oath means nothing to these Doctors: do no harm to the patient.
How civil incarceration camps aren’t illegal is behind me? However the nine rubes in robes think our low re-offense rates are frightening and high. Did they actual pass the bar or spend time in one?
There is an article written about this bill, and the author welcomes comments on it. Here’s the link.
https://apnews.com/article/crime-legislation-virginia-laws-edf136b7fe4432e794562c2af07ff51b
@ Brandon. You know everybody gets angry but getting angry without a cause isn’t good. Sure its human nature for people to get angry. Even when I myself got involved with this I checked out Janices site, Narms site and even reviewed some of the complaints , views, and comments the sex offender was going thru and I said they all need some help or either spitural guidance or some understanding. Hey even I at times needed some understanding.
Did this past President have good understanding? I’m sure everybody at least heard one of his speeches or should we “Judge another”. Even on ACSOL it says the punishment must fit the crime or are we all guilty in some ways. Or what crime did one do? Sure we can all have a guilt complex or consciecouses but get that out of your head. Yes I was stupid for getting involved in all this but Brandon, who murdered who. So its good to have faith but the right faith goes a long way or who is grounding who in these legal issues and this prison type issue.
Now I know things are different out in Calif, Texas, FL, and other area’s but we all have true value and principals. Hey both of my parents are decesed, have two sisters and two brothers and one of my sisters happen to live where i am in VA the other is in TN a brother inFL and another in my orginial hometown. Brandon and all you all don’t let this offense get you down but stand up and Janice and ACSOL are their for you all. Understanding principals and principalities goes a long ways.